In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 1, the Seattle Storm hosted its first annual “Women in Sports Essay Contest”. Students in grades four through eight were encouraged to submit a one page essay answering the following question:
What female athlete or female sports team inspires you and why?
After reviewing over 100 essays, Storm Guard Tanisha Wright has chosen 6th grader Alexis Carter from Kent, WA as the Grand Prize Winner. Her essay detailed how the Seattle Storm has inspired her and her entire family. 
Click here to view Alexis’ essay. Alexis will receive the following prizes:
"This essay was an amazing essay," Tanisha said. "I really feel like the writer highlighted and went into detail on some great points as to why the Seattle Storm organization inspires her. She continually expresses how she recognizes all the hard work that all athletes go through in order to get to the top. She then goes on to explain that it isn’t just about the basketball accomplishments and accolades, but that we as athletes are dedicated to other things like being involved with our community and having a good rapport with our fans. The writer also explains that after visiting with Storm players at various events despite her differences she realizes she can do/ be what she wants to be and not worry about it. Overall, this essay was well written. Kudos to you, Alexis!"
Members of the Seattle Sonics & Storm organization selected five runners-up based on their creativity, relevance to topic and quality. They will receive tickets to a Sonics game, tickets to the Storm 2006 season-opener and a Storm poster autographed by Tanisha Wright. Click on their names below to view their essays.
Silverio Ellis - 4th Grade, Dunlap Elementary
Malia Stonhill - 5th Grade, Cougar Valley Elementary
Jenalysse Renaud - 6th Grade, Lake Washington Girls Middle School
Raven Dean - 7th Grade, Madrona K-8
Talia Shulman - 8th Grade, Lake Washington Girls Middle School
