Rochester Students Win Big in Women's History Month Eighth Grade Essay Contest

Winning essays by seven students from Van Hoosen, Reuther and West middle schools were chosen from among 51 essays submitted by students from Avondale district, Rochester schools and St. John's Lutheran School as part of Women's History Month.

The Women's History month Eighth Grade Essay Contest was organized by the American Association of University Women; this year's winners were named at the organization's March meeting:

1st Place: Sofia Pokrzywa of Van Hoosen Middle School, who wrote about her piano teacher, Mrs. Gurin.
2nd Place: Amanda Hudak of Reuther Middle School, who wrote about her PRIDE team leader, Mrs. Fortress.
3rd Place: Sophia Dancel of Van Hoosen Middle School, who wrote about her piano teacher, Mrs. Melia.
Kathy Watson Memorial Award: Nevin Mital of West Middle School, who wrote about his mother, Nishma Mital.
Honorable Mention: Allison Zweng of West Middle School for her essay about Marie Curie, Jenny Liey for her essay about her teacher Mrs. Kautz and Alexander Staitsiadis for his essay about his sister Jessica.

Teen librarians Kricket Hoekstra and Pat Hemingray of the Rochester Hills an Auburn Hills public libraries, respectively, also shared stories during the award ceremony about how the women in their families have influenced their lives.

The Women’s History Month Eighth Grade Essay Contest is sponsored by the Rochester branch of the AAUW, the Auburn Hills Public Library and the .