Congratulations to the Essay Contest Winner!

Congratulations to essay contest winner -- Mr. James Cameron!  He was awarded a mobile tablet for his essay about the 2017-2018 SWC College Book, Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah.

The essay contest is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Essay Contest Winner

Congratulations to Ms. Marsha Choc for her winning essay about the 2016-2017 College Book selection, Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates! She was awarded an iPad mini. The essay contest was sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Great job, Ms. Choc!

Southwestern College selects a College Book each academic year. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the College Book. Stop by the Library to visit our display highlighting all of the former SWC College Books! We have copies of the books available to check out for 28 days with your SWC student ID card.

Win an iPad Mini -- DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 5

College Book Essay Scholarship

The Friends of the Library sponsors a College Book Essay Scholarship each spring. Students are asked to write an essay on a topic related to the annual College Book, and the winner receives an iPad Mini! The scholarship application period ends on March 5, 2017.

To enter, you must first read this year's College Book selection: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It is available for 7-day check out at the Reserve Desks at the Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, and San Ysidro Libraries. Ask for it at the Circulation Desk with this call number: E185.615 .C6335 2015.

After you read the book, read the prompt in the SWC Scholarship Application. You must write your essay and submit it by March 5, 2017.

Have a question? Ask a Librarian!

Essay Contest - Win an iPad Mini!

College Book Essay Scholarship

The Friends of the Library sponsors a College Book Essay Scholarship each spring. Students are asked to write an essay on a topic related to the annual College Book, and the winner receives an iPad Mini! The scholarship application period ends on February 28, 2017.

To enter, you must first read this year's College Book selection: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It is available for 7-day check out at the Reserve Desks at the Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, and San Ysidro Libraries. Ask for it at the Circulation Desk with this call number: E185.615 .C6335 2015.

After you read the book, read the prompt in the SWC Scholarship Application. You must write your essay and submit it by February 28, 2017.

Have a question? Ask a Librarian!

Essay Contest Winner Announced

The winner of this year’s Friends of the Library essay contest is Julie Barrios. Julie is taking classes at Southwestern as well as at SDSU, where she hopes to major in Marine Biology.

The prize for her winning essay is an iPad mini, which she happily picked up at the Library on April 5.

Thanks to all who entered the contest and to the judges. Congratulations, Julie!

Essay Contest Deadline: March 13 at 4 PM

The Friends of the Library are sponsoring an essay contest based on the 2013 College Book, Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls. Only currently enrolled SWC students may enter.

This is the prompt: 

Lily seems willing to sacrifice everything to defend her principles and the rights of others. On more than one occasion, she is fired from a teaching position for refusing to back down from what she believes in. Do you applaud Lily’s moral conviction in these instances? Or did you hope that Lily would learn to compromise? Have you ever had to struggle with moral conviction? Did you stand firm or compromise? 

• Essay must be no more than 3 pages, double-spaced, using 12-point type.
• Only original submissions that are the student's own work will be considered. Do not research or use any sources other than Half Broke Horses. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in disqualification.
• Attach an additional page giving name, student ID #, email address, and phone number. No identifiers (name, ID#, etc.) can appear in the essay itself.
• Deadline is Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 4 p.m. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Send essay and additional page as attachments to essaycontest@swccd.edu
• Questions? Contact Diane Gustafson dgustafson@swccd.edu or (619) 482-6433.

The winner of the essay contest will receive an iPad mini (white, 32 GB, Wi-Fi).

You Could Win an iPad mini!

The Friends of the Library are sponsoring an essay contest based on the 2013 College Book, Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls. Only currently enrolled SWC students may enter.

This is the prompt: 

Lily seems willing to sacrifice everything to defend her principles and the rights of others. On more than one occasion, she is fired from a teaching position for refusing to back down from what she believes in. Do you applaud Lily’s moral conviction in these instances? Or did you hope that Lily would learn to compromise? Have you ever had to struggle with moral conviction? Did you stand firm or compromise? 

• Essay must be no more than 3 pages, double-spaced, using 12-point type.
• Only original submissions that are the student's own work will be considered. Do not research or use any sources other than Half Broke Horses. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in disqualification.
• Attach an additional page giving name, student ID #, email address, and phone number. No identifiers (name, ID#, etc.) can appear in the essay itself.
• Deadline is Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 4 p.m. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Send essay and additional page as attachments to essaycontest@swccd.edu
• Questions? Contact Diane Gustafson dgustafson@swccd.edu or (619) 482-6433.

Winner will receive an iPad mini (white, 32 GB, Wi-Fi) valued at $429.

You Could Win an iPad mini!

The Friends of the Library are sponsoring an essay contest based on the 2013 College Book, Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls. Only currently enrolled SWC students may enter.

This is the prompt: 

Lily seems willing to sacrifice everything to defend her principles and the rights of others. On more than one occasion, she is fired from a teaching position for refusing to back down from what she believes in. Do you applaud Lily’s moral conviction in these instances? Or did you hope that Lily would learn to compromise? Have you ever had to struggle with moral conviction? Did you stand firm or compromise? 

• Essay must be no more than 3 pages, double-spaced, using 12-point type.
• Only original submissions that are the student's own work will be considered. Do not research or use any sources other than Half Broke Horses. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in disqualification.
• Attach an additional page giving name, student ID #, email address, and phone number. No identifiers (name, ID#, etc.) can appear in the essay itself.
• Deadline is Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 4 p.m. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Send essay and additional page as attachments to essaycontest@swccd.edu
• Questions? Contact Diane Gustafson dgustafson@swccd.edu or (619) 482-6433.

Winner will receive an iPad mini (white, 32 GB, Wi-Fi) valued at $429.

You Could Win an iPad mini!

The Friends of the Library are sponsoring an essay contest based on the 2013 College Book, Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls. Only currently enrolled SWC students may enter.

This is the prompt: 

Lily seems willing to sacrifice everything to defend her principles and the rights of others. On more than one occasion, she is fired from a teaching position for refusing to back down from what she believes in. Do you applaud Lily’s moral conviction in these instances? Or did you hope that Lily would learn to compromise? Have you ever had to struggle with moral conviction? Did you stand firm or compromise? 

• Essay must be no more than 3 pages, double-spaced, using 12-point type.
• Only original submissions that are the student's own work will be considered. Do not research or use any sources other than Half Broke Horses. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in disqualification.
• Attach an additional page giving name, student ID #, email address, and phone number. No identifiers (name, ID#, etc.) can appear in the essay itself.
• Deadline is Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 4 p.m. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Send essay and additional page as attachments to essaycontest@swccd.edu
• Questions? Contact Diane Gustafson dgustafson@swccd.edu or (619) 482-6433.

Winner will receive an iPad mini (white, 32 GB, Wi-Fi) valued at $429.

You Could Win an iPad mini!

The Friends of the Library are sponsoring an essay contest based on the 2013 College Book, Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls. Only currently enrolled SWC students may enter.

This is the prompt: 

Lily seems willing to sacrifice everything to defend her principles and the rights of others. On more than one occasion, she is fired from a teaching position for refusing to back down from what she believes in. Do you applaud Lily’s moral conviction in these instances? Or did you hope that Lily would learn to compromise? Have you ever had to struggle with moral conviction? Did you stand firm or compromise? 

• Essay must be no more than 3 pages, double-spaced, using 12-point type.
• Only original submissions that are the student's own work will be considered. Do not research or use any sources other than Half Broke Horses. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in disqualification.
• Attach an additional page giving name, student ID #, email address, and phone number. No identifiers (name, ID#, etc.) can appear in the essay itself.
• Deadline is Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 4 p.m. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Send essay and additional page as attachments to essaycontest@swccd.edu
• Questions? Contact Diane Gustafson dgustafson@swccd.edu or (619) 482-6433.

Winner will receive an iPad mini (white, 32 GB, Wi-Fi) valued at $429.

You could win an iPad mini!

The Friends of the Library are sponsoring an essay contest based on the 2013 College Book, Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls. Only currently enrolled SWC students may enter.

This is the prompt: 

Lily seems willing to sacrifice everything to defend her principles and the rights of others. On more than one occasion, she is fired from a teaching position for refusing to back down from what she believes in. Do you applaud Lily’s moral conviction in these instances? Or did you hope that Lily would learn to compromise? Have you ever had to struggle with moral conviction? Did you stand firm or compromise? 

• Essay must be no more than 3 pages, double-spaced, using 12-point type.
• Only original submissions that are the student's own work will be considered. Do not research or use any sources other than Half Broke Horses. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in disqualification.
• Attach an additional page giving name, student ID #, email address, and phone number. No identifiers (name, ID#, etc.) can appear in the essay itself.
• Deadline is Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 4 p.m. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Send essay and additional page as attachments to essaycontest@swccd.edu
• Questions? Contact Diane Gustafson dgustafson@swccd.edu or (619) 482-6433.

Winner will receive an iPad mini (white, 32 GB, Wi-Fi) valued at $429.

Essay Contest Winner

This year's prompt for the Friends of the Library essay contest was based on the College Book for 2012, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

"Should Henrietta’s family be financially compensated for the HeLa cells? Why or why not? If yes, who do you believe the money should come from?"

The winning essay was submitted by Natosha Scott, who wrote about her grandmother's death and the decision, which Natosha didn't understand as a teenager, to give her body to science. Natosha asked, "Where would I visit her body to mourn, honor and bring flowers to the only person in this world who every really loved me? . . . I spent a great deal of time meditating on Henrietta Lacks and thanking her for her most awesome gift to the world. I came to truly believe within my heart that Henrietta, like my granny would have wanted to help the world in any way she could . . .”

Natosha received an IPad 3 as her prize. Congratulations!

Thanks to all who submitted essays and to the judges and the contest coordinators.

Last chance to win an iPad!

Essay Contest Deadline - Feb 29, 2012, 5 pm
Late entries will not be accepted!

The essay contest is sponsored by the Friends of the SWC Library and is for currently enrolled SWC students. The prize for the winner is an iPad.

The essay prompt is based on this year’s College Book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Copies of the College Book are available for check out at the SWC Library.

Here is the essay prompt:

Should Henrietta’s family be financially compensated for the HeLa cells? Why or why not? If yes, who do you believe the money should come from?

Please note that only original submissions that are the student’s own work will be considered.

Essays must be in English, no more than three pages, and submitted by email to essaycontest@swccd.edu before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Late entries will not be accepted!

A separate page (not counted in the three maximum) must give the student’s name, SWC ID number, email address, and telephone number. This page will be separated from the essay and a code will be assigned to it so the judges will not know the identity of the student. No identifiers (name, ID number, etc.) are to appear in the essay itself.

Questions? Contact Diane Gustafson in the Library at (619) 482-6433 or dgustafson@swccd.edu.

Essay Contest - Deadline Approaching

Win an iPad! Essays are due by Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 5 pm. Late entries will not be accepted!

The essay contest is sponsored by the Friends of the SWC Library and is for currently enrolled SWC students. The prize for the winner is an iPad.

The essay prompt is based on this year’s College Book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Copies of the College Book are available for check out at the SWC Library.

Here is the essay prompt:

Should Henrietta’s family be financially compensated for the HeLa cells? Why or why not? If yes, who do you believe the money should come from?

Please note that only original submissions that are the student’s own work will be considered.

Essays must be in English, no more than three pages, and submitted by email to essaycontest@swccd.edu before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Late entries will not be accepted! A separate page (not counted in the three maximum) must give the student’s name, SWC ID number, email address, and telephone number. This page will be separated from the essay and a code will be assigned to it so the judges will not know the identity of the student. No identifiers (name, ID number, etc.) are to appear in the essay itself.

Questions? Contact Diane Gustafson in the Library at (619) 482-6433 or dgustafson@swccd.edu.

College Book Essay Contest -- Win an iPad!

Once again the Friends of the SWC Library are sponsoring an essay contest for currently enrolled SWC students. The prize for the winner is an iPad.

The essay prompt is based on this year’s College Book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Copies of the College Book are available for check out at the SWC Library.

Here is the essay prompt:
Should Henrietta’s family be financially compensated for the HeLa cells? Why or why not? If yes, who do you believe the money should come from?

Please note that only original submissions that are the student’s own work will be considered.

Essays must be in English, no more than three pages, and submitted by email to essaycontest@swccd.edu before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Late entries will not be accepted! A separate page (not counted in the three maximum) must give the student’s name, SWC ID number, email address, and telephone number. This page will be separated from the essay and a code will be assigned to it so the judges will not know the identity of the student. No identifiers (name, ID number, etc.) are to appear in the essay itself.

Questions? Contact Diane Gustafson in the Library at (619) 482-6433 or dgustafson@swccd.edu.

You could win $250

You could win $250 in the essay contest!
Once again the Friends of the SWC Library/LRC are sponsoring an essay contest for currently-enrolled SWC students. There will be two prizes of $250 each.

The essay prompt is based on this year's College Book, Motorcycle Ride on the Sea of Tranquility by Patricia Santana:

Choose a character from Motorcycle Ride on the Sea of Tranquility and explain to what extent you find the character likeable. Explain which elements of the character’s personality and actions appeal to you in some way, which elements are less appealing to you, and the reasons you reacted that way to the character. Give examples from the book to illustrate your point of view.

The essay must be the student's original work, submitted electronically to essaycontest@swccd.edu before 4 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2009. Late entries will not be accepted. Prizes will be given at the Student Awards Ceremony in May.

The essay must be at least one page but no more than three pages, double-spaced and will be judged on originality of thought, clarity of expression, and how well it answers the prompt. A separate page (not counted as one of the three maximum) must give the writer's name, SWC ID#, address, email address, and telephone number. This page will be separated from the essay and a code assigned so that the judges will not know the identity of the writer. No identifiers (name, ID #, etc.) are to appear in the essay itself.

The Library owns several Reserve copies of this book that may be checked out for 7 days.

Questions? Call Diane Gustafson in the Library, 482-6433, or email dgustafson@swccd.edu.

You could win $250 in the essay contest!

Once again the Friends of the SWC Library/LRC are sponsoring an essay contest for currently-enrolled SWC students. There will be two prizes of $250 each. The essay prompt is based on this year's College Book, Motorcycle Ride on the Sea of Tranquility by Patricia Santana.

Choose a character from Motorcycle Ride on the Sea of Tranquility and explain to what extent you find the character likeable. Explain which elements of the character’s personality and actions appeal to you in some way, which elements are less appealing to you, and the reasons you reacted that way to the character. Give examples from the book to illustrate your point of view.

The essay must be the student's original work, submitted electronically to essaycontest@swccd.edu before 4 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2009. Late entries will not be accepted. Prizes will be given at the Student Awards Ceremony in May.

The essay must be at least one page but no more than three pages, double-spaced and will be judged on originality of thought, clarity of expression, and how well it answers the prompt. A separate page (not counted as one of the three maximum) must give the writer's name, SWC ID#, address, email address, and telephone number. This page will be separated from the essay and a code assigned so that the judges will not know the identity of the writer. No identifiers (name, ID #, etc.) are to appear in the essay itself.

Questions? Call Diane Gustafson in the Library, 482-6433, or email dgustafson@swccd.edu.