Greenwood student wins national award for essay

Greenwood High School student Julie Hansbrough is one of only three winners nationwide in the sixth annual Essentially Ellington Essay Contest sponsored by the Jazz at Lincoln Center organization. Hansbrough took third-place honors in this year's contest, finishing behind Alex Dugdale of Seattle and Jon Morgenstern of Mamaroneck, New York. Each year, the Essentially Ellington Essay Contest invites students to submit a 500-word essay describing an experience that led to their love for jazz. Submissions are reviewed by jazz expert and writer Dan Morgenstern, and the winning essayist wins a trip to New York City to attend the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival in May. All three winners also receive a collection of prizes -- including CDs, subscription to a jazz publication, Jazz at Lincoln Center gear, books, and scores for their high school band directors.