Harms Scholarship Awarded to Three from Tabor

Sierra Sanchez
Sierra Sanchez
Timothy Vinduska
Timothy Vinduska
Ricardo Benavides
Ricardo Benavides

HILLSBORO, Kan. – Three Tabor students were awarded scholarships for their participation in the Dr. Wilmer Harms Anabaptism Contest. Sierra Sanchez, a senior from Thailand, won the first place prize for $300. Timothy Vinduska, a senior from Lincolnville, Kan., and Ricardo Benavides, a junior from Van Nuys, Calif., and, won $200 and $100 prizes for second and third place, respectively.

“Each year these submissions represent a partial fulfillment of Dr. Harms’ dream of having Tabor students fully engaged in topics related to Anabaptism,” said Peggy Goerzen, director of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies. “The finalists this year gave evidence of serious scholarship and reflection regarding pacifism and peace-making in different venues.”

This is the fourth year for the contest and CMBS received nine submissions from students.

Dr. Wilmer Harms, longtime chair of the CMBS Advisory Board, established the Harms Anabaptism Contest in an effort to encourage Tabor College students in research, scholarship and creativity in Anabaptist topics. Entries can include issues of culture and society, biblical and theological concerns, ethics, history, and others.

The students this year were very specific in their Anabaptist focus.

Vinduska researched “The Pacifists and the Struggle for Perfection in World War I.” Benavides chose “Peace and Ward: A Building Tension.” Sanchez explored “Article 13,” a section of the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith.

A Tabor faculty committee along with CMBS Director Peggy Goertzen created the structure, criteria and guidelines for the contest. The three finalists were selected and invited to present at a public event, May 8 on Tabor campus. Following the public presentations, the awards were announced.