Valley Stream Student Wins $3K Essay Prize

VALLEY STREAM, NY. — Hofstra University has awarded Valley Stream South student Jia Ru Yang first place in its Celebration of Diversity Student Essay Contest. Jia Ru submitted an essay on implicit bias and insensitivity faced by bilingual students, using her own life as a backdrop to explore themes of language, bias and belonging.

Jia Ru’s essay also celebrated, “the strength and richness multilingual students bring to the community,” district representatives said, impressing judges with, “its keen observations and interpretation of issues surrounding diversity on Long Island.”

“We are incredibly proud of Jia Ru for this astonishing accomplishment,” Valley Stream South Principal Matthew Swinson said. “Her success in this important contest is a testament to her talent, hard work, and insightful perspective.”

The essay prize comes with more than a handshake for Jia Ru, as the Hofstra award ensures she'll receive a $3,000 scholarship upon acceptance into college.