Long Island Student Who Learned English 4 Years Ago Wins $3K Optimum Essay Scholarship

BRENTWOOD, NY — A Brentwood Middle School student was recognized Monday for her powerful writing and academic journey, earning a $3,000 scholarship as a grand prize winner in Optimum’s 18th annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest.

Alisson Menjivar Serrano, an eighth-grade student at East Middle School in Brentwood, was honored during a recognition ceremony attended by school administrators, teachers, family members, Optimum representatives, and State Sen. Monica Martinez. The contest, which drew approximately 1,500 student submissions this year from across Optimum’s 21-state footprint, celebrates students’ connections to Hispanic culture through original essays.

Menjivar Serrano’s essay unfolds over the course of a single day, guiding readers from the quiet rhythm of morning to the vibrant energy of El Centro before ending with an intimate family gathering at home. Through vivid sensory detail — from the sizzle of pupusas on the comal to the hum of cumbia drifting through open bus windows — her writing captured cultural pride and reflected a level of storytelling maturity that distinguished her submission among hundreds of entries. Adding to the significance of the achievement, Menjivar Serrano arrived in the United States from El Salvador just four years ago without speaking English.

“We’re so, so proud of her,” said East Middle School Principal Bergre Escorbores. “She didn’t speak a lick of English when she arrived, and now she’s winning a $3,000 essay contest. As a former ENL student myself, I am so proud of all the work that teachers do at East Middle School.”

Escorbores also acknowledged the role of Menjivar Serrano’s family, emphasizing that her success was supported both at school and at home.

“She would never be here without her wonderful family and the support she gets at home,” he said.

Sarah Franceschini, Menjivar Serrano’s ELA and ENL teacher, shared the considerable dedication that went into the essay, explaining that the student worked on it largely on her own at home over two weeks, revising and refining her writing late into the process.

“She was sending edits and freaking out that it was perfect,” Franceschini said. “She used her five senses and everything that we talked about. From not speaking English four years ago, it’s such a good representation of why Brentwood is such a special district and the talent that our students have. I’m just very proud of her.”

Brentwood Superintendent of Schools Wanda Ortiz-Rivera noted the educators and staff who support English language learners across the district, saying Menjivar Serrano’s writing was both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.

“The way that you use your voice to take me to El Salvador — let me tell you, this is not an easy thing to do,” Ortiz-Rivera said. “She is very talented, and I really wish that she continues with it, because I think that she’s going to be an amazing author.”

State Sen. Monica Martinez, a former educator at East Middle School and a former English language learner herself, spoke about the lasting impact teachers can have and the importance of cultural pride in education.

“I remember having one amazing teacher who believed in me, and this is why educators will forever hold such high mantles in society, because we do so much because of love,” Martinez said. “To know that we have individuals such as Alisson being awarded $3,000, especially during Christmas, that is truly special.”

Martinez honored Menjivar Serrano with a certificate of recognition for inspiring others through her words and demonstrating pride and dedication in celebrating Hispanic culture as a 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month grand prize essay winner. She added that Menjivar Serrano’s essay inspired others “to be proud of who we are, of our background, our food, our music, you name it.”

When invited to speak, Menjivar Serrano expressed gratitude and humility.

“I really didn’t think I was going to win,” she said. “I thank everyone for supporting me.”

This year marked Optimum’s 18th annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest. Through its partnership with school districts, the contest provides opportunities that help elevate student voices. Robert Silvestri, New York senior director of market business at Optimum, presented the scholarship, saying Menjivar Serrano’s essay stood out among hundreds of submissions.

“This year, we had 1,500 students participate, and Alisson stood out for creativity and a heartfelt celebration of Hispanic culture,” Silvestri said. “We’re very proud and grateful to the families and educators who support this.”