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Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent and Scottsdale Rotary Club Honorary Member Dr. Scott Menzel announces the winners of the 3rd Annual Coronado High School Interact Club and Scottsdale Rotary Club Essay Contest on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Did.
This year's theme is “What does education mean to me?”
Fifty-four high school students shared their views on the value of education to them. This topic is especially important given the national decline in student achievement over the past five years and the decline in students regularly attending school.
Initial judging of the essays was conducted by members of the Scottsdale Rotary Club. They selected 11 of her essays as finalists in the competition. This education theme was chosen because education is one of Rotary's areas of focus around the world. Scottsdale's prominent leaders and notable authors made the final selection for this year's winners.
The student recognized by Dr. Menzel was first place Joel Garcia. Julissa Rubiano Olivares, 2nd place. Third place goes to Brandon Sola. Honorable Mention Awards were presented to Liliana Miner, Emily Gonzalez Cabrera, and Nicole Galvan Hayon. Each award recipient received a gift card from the Scottsdale Rotary Club Foundation.
In addition, Dr. Menzel presented certificates of recognition to the other five finalists: Leslie Castrejon-Bahena, Kailyn Holsey, Angel Castanda, Kimberly López Carranza, and Emmanuel Silva Orozco.
Through their essays, students confirmed their belief that education is important for a good life. In doing so, students identified different forms of education that were valuable to them.
One author describes how her high school teachers provided support and encouragement. She credits her high school teachers with transforming her elementary school belief that “education is my enemy” into her high school educational success and positive attitude toward herself. did.
Another student realized that vocational education was immediately valuable to him and plans to obtain a degree at a vocational school and then study at a university to further ensure future success.
The third author credits his family for the most important education he ever received. It was his family that instilled in him motivation, moral values and ethics.
In other essays, family had other educational influences. This author had no motivation or enthusiasm. It was her family who encouraged her to outperform her family and become the first in her family to earn a high school diploma.
The counselor is another student focus. It was his counselor who introduced him to a website about career opportunities available to young people for their futures. His resulting career choice motivated him to pursue education toward that end.
Two students pointed out that the ability of humans to educate themselves is the most valuable trait humans possess. One is that I always have my head stuck in a book. Through her reading, she learned “really important lessons woven into every drop of ink.”
Another woman said she decided to educate herself about nutrition because of the coronavirus pandemic. This motivated her to passionately pursue education in her related field.
Finally, one author says, “Since taking my first steps in the preschool classroom, education has provided me with the opportunity to meet friends, gain valuable skills, and discover what I like and dislike.'' ” sums up the importance of education. ”
At the ceremony were Coronado Principal Amy Palatucci, Scottsdale Rotary Club President Gretchen Kinder, Rotarian Viva Pradhan, English teacher Dr. Joe Markette, and Interact Club teacher sponsor Serenity Kinder. Mr. Lewis also attended.
“Many students (and parents) struggle with a lack of understanding of the value of education,” said Max Rumbaugh, essay program chair and Rotarian. provides extensive educational sources, personal insights, and examples of peer expression.”