ESD rising juniors Sophie Sisson and Anderson Riddick were named as top 25 finalists in the 2012 American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) essay contest, which had approximately 500 entries from 22 states and abroad this year. Sisson finished top five in the contest and Riddick received honorable mention recognition.

The essay contest has been sponsored by AFSA since 1999 and aims to create interest in the Foreign Service among the world's best and brightest high school students.

AFSA’s principal missions are to enhance the effectiveness of the Foreign Service, to protect the professional interests of its members, to ensure the maintenance of high professional standards for both career diplomats and political appointees, and to promote understanding of the critical role of the Foreign Service in promoting America’s national security and economic prosperity, according to its website.

Visit here to see the complete list of top 25 finalists.

Visit here to find out more about the contest and organization. 

Congratulations to Sophie and Anderson on this outstanding honor.