Eight Bryan County High School students earned extra cash with their reading and writing skills this summer, winning awards in an essay contest about the science-fiction adventure novel “White Wing” by Gordan Kendall.

Cash awards totaling $1,500 were donated by former Richmond Hill resident Mark Youngblood. Two first-place prizes of $350, two second-place prizes of $200, one third-place prize of $100, as well as three honorable mentions of $35, have been awarded.

Pembroke winners were Alyssa Gholston, first place, and Kaylin Leggett, second place.

The first-place prize in Richmond Hill went to Samantha Smithers, second place to Eliza Thorpe and third place to Loren Whitley. Michael McBratney, Robert Mayo and Katie James received honorable mention.

The essay topic asked students ages 14-17 to draw parallels between situations in “White Wing” and challenges faced in today’s culture/society. A panel from each library’s community judged the essays based on clarity of expression, good writing skills and depth of appreciation for ideas expressed in the book.

Youngblood donated money for the prizes and “White Wing” library-book purchases in honor of the U.S. Secret Service, Lem and Nita Johns and Wayne and Peggy Youngblood.