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MEDIA ALERT

5-01-02
RL:  www.philosophyslam.org
Contacts:  Sarah Bell Haberman/Carol Schuler
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sarah@modernstorytellers.com
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  “Most Philosophical Student in America” announced following Second Annual Kids Philosophy Slam

The four finalists of the Second Annual Kids Philosophy Slam squared off in Lanesboro on April 20^th, 2002, to debate the question, “Is The Nature Of Humankind Good Or Evil?”   Weighing in the side of good, Vineetha Joseph, 17,  from New Jersey was selected by the judges as “The Most Philosophical Student in America.”   Kaitlin Crosta, 14, from Massachusetts was selected as runner up.

The 2^nd annual Kids Philosophy Slam, gave kids the opportunity to grapple with life’s big questions in a simple and accessible format and win prizes at the same time.  During the last few months, thousands of entries have poured into Lanesboro from across the country and around the world.  The entries were in the form of essays and artwork by students in grades 1-12 from as far away as Istanbul, Turkey.   These entries were narrowed down to four finalists, two on each side of the good and evil debate.   The four finalists traveled to Lanesboro, MN, to participate in the championship.  

 In the first round, Dimple Patel, 17, of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Vineetha Joseph, 17, of Nutley, New Jersey, squared off on the side of the goodness of humankind and Kaitlin Crosta, 14, and Adam Holmes, 14, both of Abington, Massachusetts, debated the argument of the evil nature of humankind.   These finalists were narrowed down to Vineetha Joseph and Kaitlin Crosta to continue the debate.  The judges then chose Vineetha Joseph for the strength of her philosophical argument.

“Most Philosophical Student in America” Vineetha Joseph, is a senior at Nutley (NJ) High School and has hobbies that include Indian dancing, reading, volunteer work, and watching movies.   Her favorite class is Humanities and her future goal is to become a physician.  Joseph says in her essay “Braver souls will admit that the nature of humankind is good.   Evil becomes a scapegoat in the reasoning of humankind.”  “The determination of a mother to run into a burning building to save her child or of a member of the Peace Corps to dedicate at least a year in his life to helping others are not actions of a truly evil society.”

Runner up Kaitlin Crosta, 14, of Abington High School in Abington, Massachusetts, has hobbies that include basketball, soccer, shopping, and hanging out with friends.  A few of Kaitlin’s favorites include Julia Roberts, N*Sync, and Spanish class.  Kaitlin believes that “humankind is evil because most people have committed at least one act of being harmful or hurtful….  Whether you commit acts of evil like the madmen of September 11, or on a small scale like causing personal anguish.”

On the night of the Kids Philosophy Slam, other prizes were also awarded.  The winner for each grade level 1-8, Special Slam award winner, and “Most Philosophical School in America” were announced. 

Announcement of the rules and question for the Third Annual Kids Philosophy Slam will take place in late August or September 2002.

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Last updated: May 01, 2002.