Editor’s Note: Media are invited to attend the awards ceremony at 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25, at the President’s Mansion and a reception following at the Hoole Special Collections Library, both on The University of Alabama campus.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Winners of the first “To Kill a Mockingbird” Essay Contest will be honored Friday, Jan. 25, at The University of Alabama.

Some 38 high school students from throughout the state -- all winners of the essay competition in their individual schools -- have been invited to visit UA for a tour and luncheon at the President’s Mansion, followed by an awards ceremony.

The contest was created in honor of “To Kill a Mockingbird” author Harper Lee’s induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor last August and is sponsored by the UA Honors Program in conjunction with the Alabama State Department of Education. The contest is funded by grants from the Hill Crest Foundation and the Hugh Kaul Foundation.

High school students from throughout the state were invited to submit 300- to 400-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 grand prizewinner, Katherine Garner of Coffee High School in Florence, will be awarded a $500 prize at the awards ceremony and a $1,000 donation will be made to her school. All statewide winners will receive a $100 prize.

Contest winners will tour the UA President’s Mansion and have lunch with UA President and Mrs. Andrew Sorensen before the awards ceremony at 1 p.m. at the mansion. A reception will follow the awards ceremony at the W. S. Hoole Special Collections Library in Mary Harmon Bryant Hall on the UA campus.