The Albert Lea Human Rights Commission has chosen the winners of its Human Rights Commission Essay Contest.

They are Joseph Grano, first place ($100); Mallorie Gill, second place ($50), and Mariah Talamantes, third place ($25). Grano&8217;s essay will be entered into the state contest.

The contest was open to sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders in Albert Lea. The essays were to be based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Bill of Rights and the Minnesota Human Rights Act and be one to three pages in length.

The winners will be honored during the Albert Lea City Council meeting on Monday by Mayor Randy Erdman and Human Rights Chairman James Stoen.