Virginia McNeil of Mobile (far left), a 10th grade student at The Arnold School of Alabama, was the statewide winner of the “To Kill a Mockingbird” Essay Contest. McNeil is shown with (L-R) Anne Witt, wife of UA President Robert E. Witt, author Harper Lee, and Dr. Robert Halli, dean of the UA Honors College.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Winners of the fourth annual “To Kill a Mockingbird” Essay Contest were honored on Friday, Jan. 28, on The University of Alabama campus.

High school students from throughout the state -- all winners of the essay competition in their individual schools -- visited UA for a luncheon and awards ceremony at the President’s Mansion, followed by a reception and book signing with “To Kill a Mockingbird” author Harper Lee.

The statewide winner, Virginia McNeil of Mobile, was awarded a $500 prize at the awards ceremony and a $500 donation will be made to her school. McNeil is a 10th grade student at The Arnold School of Alabama. She is the daughter of John and Martha McNeil of Mobile.

The contest was created in honor of “To Kill a Mockingbird” author Harper Lee’s induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2001 and is sponsored by the UA Honors Program with the support of the Alabama State Department of Education.

High school students from throughout the state were invited to submit 300-to-500-word essays on Lee’s much-loved book. Essays were to reflect the writer’s perception on how life has changed in the South from the time period depicted in the book to the present.

The students attended a luncheon and awards ceremony hosted by Anne Witt, wife of UA President Robert E. Witt, and a reception and book signing at the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library in Mary Harmon Bryant Hall on the UA campus.