SKOWHEGAN — The Margaret Chase Smith Library has announced the winners of its 13th annual essay contest for Maine high school seniors.

The first prize of $500 went to Chelsea Bernard from Dirigo High School in Dixfield. This fall, Bernard will attend Emerson College in Boston. She intends to study communications while pursuing her creative talents in art, drama and music.

The recipient of the $250 award for second place was Terrence Walsh of Acadia Christian School in Trenton. Walsh, who enjoys reading and ancient languages, will go to Grace Evangelical College and Seminary in Bangor. His goal is to become a pastor.

Third place and $125 went to Stacy Sullivan of Bonny Eagle High School in Standish. Sullivan will be enrolling at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. An avid reader and writer, Sullivan will major in English with the intention of breaking into the publishing field after graduation.

In addition, the library presented five honorable mention awards of $25 along with a book about Sen. Smith to Alex Breslin-Johnson of South Portland High School, Nikola Champlin of Greely High School in Cumberland, Nathaniel Howes of St. Dominic Regional High School in Auburn, Meredith Schalk, a home-school student from Sabattus, and Dominic Strada of Marshwood High School in South Berwick.

The theme for the 2010 Margaret Chase Smith Essay Contest will be announced in the fall. For more information, contact David Richards at 474-7133 or davidr@mcslibrary.org.