Casey
Parks, B.A. 2005, was recently chosen for a trip of a lifetime.
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof opened a “Win
a Trip” essay contest in March of this year, the prize
being a $1,000 award and a journalistic journey to neglected
areas of Africa. Out of over 3,800 applicants, Parks was selected
for her beautiful essay describing her willingness to report
on and reside in destitute areas, her exceptional background
in journalism, and her burning desire to travel the world.
Parks' gift for writing was evident during her years at Millsaps. She was a brilliant English major, editor-in-chief of the Purple and White, assistant editor of the Jackson Free Press, Honors graduate, and Laney Award winner. The Frank and Rachel Anne Laney Award recognizes the graduating senior who has written the finest essay reflecting on the values of a Millsaps liberal arts education. The paper becomes required reading for all incoming freshmen the following fall. Parks’ winning paper for this award was entitled “Your Silence Will Not Protect You” and illuminated her passion for free speech and a free press. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in journalism at the University of Missouri. Parks’ adventures will be cataloged as she writes a blog for the Times, and she will also be doing a video blog for MTV-U.
For more on Parks’ story as well as her winning essay, go to http://www.nytimes.com/marketing/winatrip/.
To hear Lisa Mullins' interview with Parks on National Public Radio's The World, visit http://www.theworld.org/latesteditions/05/20060524.shtml.
Also check out the Clarion-Ledger article on Parks and her award.