Student scribes proved that they had “the write stuff” thanks to an essay contest sponsored by a local civic organization.
The fifth through eighth-graders tackled the topic, “The Kindest Person I Ever Met,” for the Bay Ridge Community Council’s 2008 Essay Contest, and the winners were feted during the group’s May meeting, which was held at William McKinley Intermediate School, I.S. 259, 7301 Fort Hamilton Parkway.
The essays provided individual insight into the rare quality of kindness, seen through a child’s eyes.
For fifth grader Julia Aneiro, a student at Public School 204, the kindest person was a stranger who let her stand in front of her during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “I envy this woman for her great kindness towards others,” Aneiro wrote in her essay. “If only giving a stranger a hug wouldn’t look so weird!”
Avery Verstegen, a seventh grader at Public School/ Intermediate School 104, wrote of his mother, who died of cancer when he was six.
“My mother despite seizures and constant headaches, never missed a baseball or football practice or any games,” Verstegen recalled in his winning essay. “She took me to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios and made sure I had a great time. She gave her time at school, helped me with my homework and was involved in Cub Scouts.”
Aneiro was the overall winner for the fifth grade. Other fifth grade winners (one per school) were Dorothy Wong, Public School 102; Julie Morel, P.S./I.S. 104; Nikolos Robinson, Public School 127; Irene Pigulevskiy, Public School 176; Andrew Zaloom, Public School 185; Michael Maher, St. Bernadette’s School; John Marano, St. Ephrem’s School; and Christopher Coughlin, St. Patrick’s School.
The overall sixth grade winner was Christine Xu, from Intermediate School 187. Other school winners were Matthew Savattieri, P.S./I.S. 104; Beesan Sarsour, I.S. 259; and Christina Tsetsakos, DGK Holy Cross School.
Verstegen was the overall winner for the seventh grade. School winners for the seventh grade were Enxhi Hoxhallari, Intermediate School 201; Jessica Cruz, I.S. 259; Denise Elefteriou, DGK and Erin Mulrooney of St. Patrick’s School.
The overall eighth grade winner was Rania Muhieddine, from P.S./I.S. 104. Other eighth grade winners were Kate Dinerman, I.S. 187; Jim Chan, I.S. 201; Ahmed Osman, I.S. 259 and Christine Apostolou, DGK.
The essay contest – now in its 31st year — was dedicated to the memory of Rosemarie Russo, a longtime BRCC member who died last year. Russo, said contest committee Chairperson Linda Mollo Holmes, “was the kindest person I ever met. That was our topic, and she inspired us.”
Russo was “a legend,” added City Councilmember Vincent Gentile. “She was involved in so many things and did everything with such grace. She was such an inspiration to so many of us.”
“My mother loved Bay Ridge and all the people in Bay Ridge,” remarked Bill Russo, her son. “The fact that she’s remembered here is very touching to me.”
The topic was given to participating schools in February. Each school was allowed to submit up to three essays per grade. There was one winner at each grade level at each school that participated, as well as one overall winner per grade.
