APRIL 1, 2019

Essay Contest Awards Presented

L to R: Amari Ramos, Chelsea James, D'Angelo Rodriguez, Imami Linzy, and Isabella Davis.

Five of eight middle and high school winners of an essay contest on civil rights received Barnes & Noble gift cards in person from Bridges Project on Saturday, March 2. They read their work before an enthusiastic audience which included Marion County Schools Superintendent Dr. Heidi Maier at the book store located in Market Place at Heathbrook.

Rev. Peggy Hostetler, Vice President of Bridges Project, said they all responded with remarkable maturity to the question posed for the essay: What lessons have you learned from the civil rights movement and how are they being applied to effect change today?

Amari Ramos, 11th grade student at West Port High School, received first place among the high school group which also included Isabella Davis, Dariez Goodson and D'Angelo Rodriguez, all taught by Jesse Preece at West Port.  

Winner of first place award for middle school students was Alexandra Laciuga, sixth grader at Howard Middle School taught by Pamela Earnest who also taught another sixth grade winner, Cristina Bejarano.  Two other eighth grade winners were  Chelsea James,  Howard Middle School -  Sara Stawecki, teacher, and Imani Linzy, Lake Weir Middle School - Sarah Layendecker, teacher.

Retired high school principal Pat Keith headed the committee judging the entrants which also included Margaret Sherman and Tom Butler.

(There are more pictures from the event which can be seen on the Gallery page - click above.)

Congratulations to all, and thank you for participating in Bridges' first essay contest.