Leading by example: Anderson student's essay advances in contest

Steve Main just wanted his students' writing exposed to a wider audience.

So Main handed out a writing assignment to all of his students at Anderson New Tech. He told them to write an essay for Barnes & Noble bookstore's "My Favorite Teacher" writing contest.

"I wanted to show them they could win something," Main said. "We have a lot of skilled writers here. But they write to themselves, to Mr. Main. It was a good outlet to get them recognized."

The contest rules stated only that the competition was open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. He said there was no length limit. Students would be judged on the quality of their essay about their favorite teacher.

It didn't cost anything to enter, and Main said he figures you can't win unless you try.

"I think for me half the battle is just showing up," he said.

After the first round, Anderson New Tech came up a winner with Kyle Falconer's essay on why Main was his favorite teacher.