552nd Airman wins constitutional essay contest Published Dec. 11, 2008 By 1st Lt Kinder L. Blacke 552nd Air Control Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- "Should the Electoral College be abolished?" That is the question that Airman 1st Class Taj V. Preciado, 552nd Air Control Networks Squadron, answered in a 250-word essay to win a $2,000 scholarship from Park University. Park University sponsored the essay contest as part of its celebration of "Constitution Day," which commemorates the day the United States Constitution was signed, Sept. 17, 1787. According to the Park University Web site, the U.S. Congress passed a bill requiring federally funded schools and colleges to hold an educational program each year to pay tribute to the U.S. Constitution. The essay contest was open to all current Park University undergraduate students and the essays had to address the question, "should the Electoral College be abolished?" in 250 words or less. Airman Preciado, an AWACS software test analyst and an undergraduate student at Park University, decided to accept the challenge. "I entered the contest to win money for books and other fees not covered by tuition assistance," he said. "And politics is one of my big interests so I really enjoyed formulating the essay." His essay in its entirety is posted on the Park University Web site, but concluded with the statement: "In theory, abolishing the Electoral College is a noble idea because it would give equal voice to every person in America. In practice, however, it would amplify the role of special interests and thus negate its very purpose." The essays were judged by a panel of distinguished scholars and public officials, and Airman Preciado's earned the top prize. "I found out that I won at a squadron hall call," said Airman Preciado, who will put the grand prize of $2,000 toward finishing the second half of his Computer Science degree. "Winning the scholarship has provided him more drive and determination to complete his degree and possibly go on to Officer Training School," said Senior Master Sgt. James J. Griffin, 552nd ACNS superintendent. "He was quiet and reserved about winning," said Chief Master Sergeant Ray G. Anderson, 552nd Air Control Group. "Watching him on the day the representatives from Park University came out to notify him made me think that this young Airman didn't do it for the money or the recognition. Rather, he did it because he had something to say, or he felt a certain way about the subject. To me, that was impressive," Chief Anderson said. Sergeant Griffin added, "he's the kind of Airman that gives one hundred percent to anything he does. If you give him a task, you can be sure that it will be completed."