Councilman Vincent Gentile honored winners of his 2009 National Library Week Essay Contest during an awards presentation at McKinley Park Library, 6802 Fort Hamilton Parkway in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn.
Hundreds of local students submitted essays prompted by the statement: “My Library Rocks Because…”
First, second and third place winners from the elementary, junior high and high school categories were awarded in a ceremony at which they read their essays to the more than 160 attendees. Teachers, parents, grandparents, representatives of the Brooklyn Public Library and Chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee Domenic M. Recchia Jr. joined Gentile to applaud students’ efforts and celebrate public and school libraries.
First place winners received gift certificates to The Bookmark Shoppe in Bay Ridge, as well as medals inscribed with their name. The second and third place winners received medals inscribed with their names as well as hats and water bottles from the Brooklyn Public Library, and all winners and honorable mentions received certificates from Gentile, praising their essays and smart use of public and school library services.
The first place winners were Taylor Jazrawi, fifth grader; Visitation Academy; Ashley Kelly, sixth grader, Visitation Academy; and Hafida Rasool, Fort Hamilton High School.
Second place winners were Larisa Jiao, fifth grader, PS 204; Gabrielle Nicole Messina, eighth grader, Visitation Academy; and Sabrina Hasan of Fort Hamilton High School.
The third place winners were Brian M. Reilly, fourth grader, PS 185; Josette Tugander, sixth grader, Visitation Academy; and Amanda Caiazzo, Fontbonne Hall Academy.