Sacramento Kings Help Students Learn About Their Real Ticket to the Future

The Sacramento Kings, Quest and Southwest Airlines recently teamed up to encourage students to improve their writing skills in the “Ticket to the Future Essay Contest.” Students could chose from one of four questions about technology, travel, the future and education. The top 20 essay winners were chosen out of almost 400 entries to receive a personal computer system including monitor, modem, cd-rom and printer. In addition, three winners received a classroom visit from a Sacramento Kings player.

Sacramento Kings players Brent Price, Mateen Cleaves and Bobby Jackson visited Joseph Kerr Middle School, William Land Elementary School and Mariemont Elementary School respectively to present the top three winners with a personal computer system and spoke to their classes about the importance of education. They highlighted that education is the true “ticket to the future.”

The Kings, Quest and Southwest Airlines would like to congratulate the following winners of the Ticket to the Future Essay Contest:

Whitney Huber - Eighth Grade
Joseph Kerr Middle School (EGUSD)

Vanessa Wong - Third Grade
William Land Elementary School (SCUSD)

Mitch Peterson - Sixth Grade
Mariemont Elementary School (SJUSD)

Devin Kelly - Fifth Grade
Birch Lane Elementary School (DUSD)

Krystal Tigue - Fifth Grade
Mary Tsukamoto Elementary School (SCUSD)

Jacqueline Peterson - Sixth Grade
Mary Tsukamoto Elementary School (SCUSD)

Darcy Richter - Fourth Grade
Quail Glen Elementary School (DCUSD)

Ian Luttrell - Fourth Grade
Green Oaks Fundamental School (SJUSD)

Cali Shurtz - Eighth Grade
Jonas Salk Middle School (SJUSD)

Annie O’Kelly - Fifth Grade
Crocker Riverside Elementary School (SCUSD)

Gage McMullen - Second Grade
Little Chico Creek (CUSD)

Aaron Overton - Fifth Grade
Ione Elementary School (ACUSD)

Nikki Khotpanya - Sixth Grade
Holmes Elementary School (RLUSD)

Stephen T. - Eleventh Grade
Koinonia School (Placer County Office of Education)

Kristine Prado - Ninth Grade
Laguna Creek High School (EGUSD)

Yelena Prokof’yeva - Second Grade
Bryte Elementary School (WUSD)

Shahirah Ahmed - Sixth Grade
Joseph Sims Elementary School (EGUSD)

April Collins - Fifth Grade
Catherine Gates Elementary School (RJUSD)

Jared Loucks - Second Grade
Live Oak Academy

Shannon Davis - Fourth Grade
Green Oaks Fundamental School (SJUSD)

The Kings Ticket to the Future Essay Contest was designed to encourage students to keep their sights on the future and continue their education. This program continues the Sacramento Kings ongoing commitment to make a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of people in-need and at-risk in the Sacramento area. Everyone at Maloof Sports & Entertainment and the Sacramento Kings applaud the efforts of the winners and all the students who submitted essays. These youth are on the path to a very bright future.