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Local Cool Kid: Eriq Jones

The Memphis Massacre. A painful part of our city’s history.
LOCAL COOL KID BAM_1445018342038.JPG

The Memphis Massacre. A painful part of our city’s history.

46 African Americans killed over a period of three days in 1866 by white police officers and rioters.
   
Students in grades 8 through 12 in Shelby County wrote essays for a contest on why it is so important to never forget what happened 150 years ago.
    
A Bolton High School junior’s essay was the winning submission.

In Mrs. Denk’s English class, the rules to great writing are simple. Make your argument, support it with facts, and cite your sources.

“You’ve got to tell me where they came from otherwise it is considered plagiarism,” Kathy Denk of Bolton High School said.

Students like Eriq Jones earned high marks for their essay on a painful part of our city’s history. The Memphis Massacre.
    
Explaining why it is so important to never forget what happened 150 years ago.

“He ended up getting a B on the assignment,” Denk said. “I actually docked him a couple of points for his presentations in text citations.”

The Bolton High School junior’s essay and several others were submitted to our local NAACP chapter for a contest.

His essay, using federal documents, testimony from dozens of witnesses, and several other sources was the winning submission.

“It’s important that we know what happened and that we avoid something like that from happening again,” Jones said.

For his hard work and compelling arguments, he won $500.

“He and I were both pretty excited,” Denk said. “I said I probably have to give him those points.”

He got a better grade. 

“Yes, Mrs. Denk was more than willing to give me the A,” Denk said. “My life is good.”

Eriq plans to save the $500 and save the money for college. He is planning on becoming a lawyer. 

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