Posted 1:02 am Sunday, July 01, 2012
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Tyler Fourth-Grader Quinn Boozer Wins Essay Contest
Tyler ISD Caldwell Arts Academy's Quinn Boozer, 9, is the Fourth Grade Grand Prize winner of the 2012 Texas Travels essay contest, sponsored by the Texas General Land Office's Save Texas History Program.
Quinn's entry, an imagined journal, tells the story of Coronado's ill-fated quest for gold from the perspective of his servant, Juan Antonio Hernandez. Though fictional, Quinn packed the journal with well-researched facts about the infamous conquistador and included vivid details of life on the frontier.
"Quinn's essay takes on an old story from a refreshing perspective," said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who selected the winners. "Texas history was made by ordinary men and women facing extraordinary circumstances, just like Juan's journal so clearly shows."
As an orphan raised by the church, Juan was eager to join Coronado on his quest, Quinn writes. "He says that if I say yes we will travel far north to look for the lost cities of gold. Of course I said yes," Juan writes on September 7, 1539.
Juan's entries continue through 1542 and include stories of starving in the desert and feasting on buffalo meat, as well as personal observations about Coronado's disappointment after failing to find gold.
"This essay was exciting, just like Texas history," Patterson said a prepared statement announcing the winner.
Quinn's winning essay was selected from about 1,500 entries.
-- earned him round-trip airline tickets for four to San Antonio and hotel accommodations,
for two nights and complimentary dining, as well as tickets to attractions provided by the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. Holly Chilek was Quinn's teacher.
