From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Finn, Thilbert L.
(born: March 17, 1930 - died: November 5, 2015)Thilbert L. Finn lived in Beaver Dam, KY. When he was a high school student, he commuted each day to Western High School in Owensboro, KY; there was not a high school for African Americans in Beaver Dam. During his senior year in 1950, Finn became the first African American to win the Kiwanis Club Essay Contest for Daviess County, KY. His essay had been judged the best among the hundreds of essays submitted by students from all high schools in the county. The essay contest was an annual event in the interest of "citizenship consciousness among students and to combat the rise of communism in the United States." --Source: "Beaver Dam Negro 1st of race to win coveted essay award," The Courier-Journal, 4/29/1950, p. 8.
The Kiwanis International was organized in Detroit, MI January 23, 1915. The Owensboro Kiwanis Club received its charter February 5, 1940. Ten years later when Thilbert Finn won his award, Walter Sergent was president of the Owensboro Kiwanis and in charge of the essay contest. Finn received the championship cup and an all-expense-paid trip for two to Washington, D.C. Thilbert and H. E. Goodloe, principal of Western High School, made the trip to Washington, D.C.
Finn would remain in Ohio County, KY, where he was employed at the Peabody Coal Company and a member of the United Mine Workers. He was also a veteran of the Korean War.
Thilbert L. Finn was born in Beaver Dam, the son of Mord and Mary Ann Fant Finn. He was the husband of Loretta Jean Schultz Finn.
Sources: "[Picture caption] "Essay Contest Winner," The Owensboro Inquirer, 1/17/1950, p. 3; "Obituaries: Thilbert L. Finn," Messenger-Inquirer, 11/10/2015, p. C2; and "Kiwanis Club to be given charter on Monday night," The Owensboro Inquirer, 2/1/1940, front page. See his obituary and photographs at The Ohio County Monitor website.