Essay Winner: Kylee Nielsen, 16, won the essay contest,part of “Drive to Read @ your library” – a program developed by Morningstar Foods Inc. and the American Library Association. NASCAR driver Ward Burton is the spokesman. Kylee’s essay was on Lance Armstrong’s book about his successful battle against testicular cancer: “It’s Not About the Bike … My Journey Back to Life.” The book struck a nerve because Kylee’s father, Dennis, died of colon and liver cancer last December after an intense, 18-month battle. He was 50. Kylee’s essay topped a 100-plus field from 25 states. From Nov. 9 to 12, she and four family members, along with Anderson and her son, enjoyed her prize-winning perks: a red-carpet weekend in Miami, a day at Homestead-Miami Speedway and a meeting with Burton. The essay contest was launched in August at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It asked teens to check out one of 75 recommend books and write an essay about how it was meaningful and inspiring to them.(Omaha World-Herald)(11-20-2001) (11-19-2001)
