Robert Guice, a Cherokee County High School student, has been honored with a privilege that few have ever received.

After reading the famous novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee in his 10th grade English class, Guice wrote an essay about how life has changed in Alabama.

In the essay, Guice compared life in the 1930s, the time period of the novel, to how life is in Alabama during the 21st century.

Guice discussed agricultural differences, financial hardships during the Great Depression, economic advances of our time, and race relations in Alabama.



“The past needs to be given attention,” he said.

His essay was so well received that he was invited, along with 49 other Alabama high school students, to a luncheon at the University of Alabama’s President’s Mansion.

While at the luncheon, Guice was able to meet Harper Lee, who is originally from Monroeville.

Since the award-winning film version of To Kill a Mockingbird was made, starring Gregory Peck, Harper Lee has been a recluse. She refuses to give interviews and is rarely seen in public. To Kill a Mockingbird is a rare masterpiece because since its publication in 1960, it has never been out of print.



Guice said he watched the movie version of the book with his class.

Guice expressed his thanks to Lee for the luncheon invitation and for personally signing a copy of the novel.

Principal Paul Hyche and Cherokee County High School thanked Robert and his parents, Mitchell and Tina Guice, for showing appreciation for great literature and for representing his school well