The 34th “Celebration of Youth” Essay Contest
WINNERS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS
Winners in Grades 4 – 6
First Place: Bridgette Miranda Gonzales, 5th grade, Bruce Monroe Elem., Amy Dinan
Second Place: Jonah Meyer, 4th Grade, Eaton Elementary, Anthony Tarzia
Third Place: Jonas Gamy, 4th Grade, Langley Elementary, Amanda Texeira
Fourth Place: Elliana Marie Strauss, 5th Grade, Bancroft Elem., Ms. Vilma Luque
Fifth Place: Caroline Wilding, 6th Grade, Alice Deal MS., David Silberman
Winners in Grade 7 – 9
First Place: Margo Lewis, 9th Grade, Jackson Reed HS, Lisa Grymes
Second Place: Lela Harkrader, 8th Grade, Alice Deal Middle School, Ms. Norton (5th Place Winner in 2021)
Third Place: Serge Tchamo, 8th Grade, MacFarland MS, Alina Majer (Honorable Mention in 2021, 2019, 2018)
Fourth Place: Robert Curington, 9th Grade, Benjamin Banneker
Fifth Place: Emma Cappelloni, 7th Grade, Alice Deal MS., Elisabeth Hoyson (Honorable Mention in 2021, Second Place Winner in 2020)
HONORABLE MENTIONS 2022
Avi Berger, 5th Grade, Tyler Elementary School, Ms. Julianne Wiliams
Zeinab Dembele, 7th grade, Ida B. Wells Middle School, Mrs. Maja
Leo Feldman, 5th grade, School Without Walls@Stevens, Jennifer Myers
Hanna Floyd, 9th Grade, McKinley Tech, Ms. Linda Wallace
Aylea’ Ford, 6th Grade, Excel Academy, Ms. Caniya Ray
Maurice Ford, 4th Grade, Langley Elem. School, Amanda Texeira
Ariana Escobar Fuentes,4th Grade, Bruce Monroe@Parkview, Ms. Montiel & Ms. Cevantes
Daniel Goldson, 6th Grade, DC Prep Edgewood Middle Campus, Ms. Watson
Evelyn Hartless, 9th grade, McKinley Tech HS, Ms. Linda Wallace
Lainey Huey, 4th grade, Lafayette Elementary, Alison Dalton
Dialo Jackson, 5th Grade, Tyler Elementary, Ms. Julianne Williams
Brenda Kouam, 9th Grade, Benjamin Banneker HS, Alina Majer, (Second Place Winner in 2021)
Pierce Lilly, 9th Grade, DC International PCS, Ms. Kelly Custer, (Fifth Place Winner in 2020 and Honorable Mention in 2021 and 2018)
Juliana Gallego Ortiz, 4th Grade, YuYing PCS, Malcolm Harvin-Conner
Serenitee Perry, 9th Grade, McKinley Technology HS, Linda Wallace
Claudia Ray, 4th Grade, Whittier Elementary, Ms. Rain Wallin
Eleanor Sarver, 5th Grade, Eaton Elementary, Leann Trowbridge
Jada Sills, 9th Grade, McKinley Technology HS, Ms. Linda Wallace
Naomi Stewart, 4th Grade, YuYing PCS, Malcolm Harvin-Conner
Ikedinachukwu Ukaegbu, 9th Grade, McKinley Tech HS, Ms. Linda Wallace (Honorable Mention in 2018)
Krysten Walker, 9th grade, McKinley Technology HS, Ms. Linda Wallace
Gernaye Jones-Warren, 6th Grade, Excel Academy, Ms. Caniya Ray
Ny’lah Williams, 4th grade, John Burroughs Elem., Ms. Katherine Close
Tyshawn Wooten, 8th Grade, Kramer Middle School, Ms. Ramble
Zion Young, 5th Grade, Patterson Elementary School, Ms. Tiffany Rose