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Among eighth graders at Paynesville Area Middle School, Whitcomb was the winner of the local contest, sponsored by Paynesville's Human Rights Commission. Her essay (which was published in the May 8 edition of the Press) was then submitted to the state contest.

The essay question was: "Relate the Bill of Rights or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to a current news event. Write an essay showing how differing interpretations of the Bill of Rights apply to the event or in what ways the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been violated. In either case, what can you do about it?"

Whitcomb, the daughter of Don and Brenda Whitcomb, wrote about school bullying and related it to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

She tied for third at state and received a $200 cash award.

In four years of a statewide essay contest, Paynesville has had two state placewinners. Adam Ingalsbe, now a sophomore, placed third two years ago. Paynesville is the smallest city in the state to have a Human Rights Commission.