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Two county residents earn honors for Garfinkel Essay Contest

By Billie Owens

Two local Genesee Community College students were recently honored for their entries in the Annual Garfinkel Essay Contest. It's sponsored by the Historical Society of the Courts of the State of New York.

GCC student Kevin Volk, of Batavia, was awarded Second Place for his essay, "A Brief Examination of the Difficulties in Finding Justice for the Victims of the Triangle Factory Fire, 1911."

Volk's essay points out the importance the 1911 Triangle Factory Fire had in New York State, and how this tragedy began the wheels of change to protect factory employees and improve working conditions.

His award-winning essay can be found on the following Historical Society of the Courts Web site: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/essay/2011/essay11.htm

Phyllis Washburn, of Le Roy, received an honorable mention.

The Historical Society of the Courts was chartered to preserve the legal history of New York state and foster understanding and public appreciation of court history.

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