Lifting Up Westchester Reveals 8th Annual Student Essay Winners

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The next generation of leaders is being recognized for showing a thoughtful approach to decision-making, and offering hope for the future at the same time.

From Lifting Up Westchester.

Lifting Up Westchester (LUW), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals who have lost their housing or are struggling to meet other basic needs, proudly announces the winners of its Eighth Annual Student Essay Contest.

Open to all Westchester students in grades 7–12, this year’s contest challenged young writers to step into a fictional scenario where an LUW representative asks the student how to best spend an unexpected $1 million donation. Through their essays, students explored creative and practical ways to expand LUW’s programs, demonstrating both empathy and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those in need.

The contest, established in 2017 in memory of Beth Massey Rubens—a beloved Westchester resident, teacher, tutor, and mentor with a passion for language arts—aims to inspire critical thinking about social issues while introducing students to LUW’s mission.

“We are continually amazed by the depth of insight and compassion these students bring to the table,” said Anahaita Kotval, CEO of Lifting Up Westchester. “Their essays not only reflect an awareness of the struggles faced by many in our community but also a commitment to being part of the solution. It’s incredibly inspiring to see the next generation thinking so thoughtfully about social change.”

A panel of fifty-two volunteer judges carefully reviewed submissions from schools across Westchester, selecting winners in three grade categories: 7th-8th, 9th-10th, and 11th-12th grades. First, second, and third-place winners received cash prizes and were honored at an Awards Ceremony & Luncheon on March 30th at Tre Angelina Italian restaurant in White Plains. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano was also in attendance, joining in the celebration to recognize the students’ achievements and support LUW’s mission. The event was generously sponsored by Salvatore & Ritchie D'Errico, owners of D'Errico Jewelry in Scarsdale and Mt. Kisco, who are steadfast supporters of LUW’s youth programs.

Winners of the 2025 Lifting Up Westchester Student Essay Contest include:

7th and 8th Grades

1st Place: Martina Kodra, Eastchester Middle School

2nd Place: Veda Jain, Pelham Middle School

3rd Place: Kaitlyn Suelto, Eastchester Middle School

9th and 10th Grades

1st Place: Brayden Clark, Pelham Memorial High School

2nd Place: Denia Vassell, Charter School of Educational Excellence

3rd Place: Caleigh Walsh, Charter School of Educational Excellence

Honorable Mention: Abdul Diallo, Charter School of Educational Excellence

11th and 12th Grades

1st Place: Kaede Ando, Keio Academy of New York

2nd Place: Isabella Vembenil, The Ursuline School

3rd Place: Aidan Fishman, Mamaroneck High School

Lifting Up Westchester extends its heartfelt congratulations to all participants for their creativity, passion, and dedication to addressing critical social issues. The organization looks forward to next year’s contest and continues to empower students to be agents of change in their communities.

About Lifting Up Westchester

Founded in 1979, Lifting Up Westchester (LUW) is a nonprofit organization providing life-changing support to people who have lost their housing or are struggling to meet their other basic needs. Each year, the organization partners with over 3,000 men, women, and children experiencing homelessness and hunger to build a more secure future for themselves and their families. LUW envisions a community where everyone has a stable place to call home. With secure housing, people have the ability to focus on improving their health, education, and employment. LUW’s team helps people find a home, build on that foundation, and achieve greater self-sufficiency.

This release was produced by Lifting Up Westchester. The views expressed here are the author's own.