6th Annual Essay Contest
What are the Connections and the Misperceptions Associated With Homelessness and Mental Health? was the topic for the Lifting Up Westchester 2023 essay contest. All 7th to 12th graders who attend school in Westchester were invited to reflect on mental health and why it is important to our well-being.
The essay this year invites students to think about the importance of mental health, which impacts how we think, feel, and act and how we cope with life. Mental health also influences how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Did you know that family illness, job loss, divorce, not doing well in school, being bullied, hunger, poor housing, and becoming unhoused are just some of the things that can trigger mental health issues? This can result in emotions such as anxiety, depression, or loneliness.
Congratulations to all
of our 2023 Essay Contest Winners!
11 & 12 Grade:
1st Place (tie): Agnesa Rraci, Woodlands High School
1st Place (tie): Kristen Luther, Woodlands High School
2nd Place: Honesty Woods, Peekskill High School
3rd Place (tie): Natasha Pereira, Scarsdale High School
3rd Place (tie): Stacy Di Maulo, Alexander Hamilton High School, Elmsford
Honorable Mention: Lamyaa Hamid, Peekskill High School
ESL:
1st Place: Risa Goji, Keio Academy
2nd Place (tie): Rena Maruyama, Keio Academy
2nd Place (tie): Rika Ishii, Keio Academy
The contest has been funded in loving memory of Beth Massey Rubens, a lifelong teacher, tutor, and mentor with a particular love for language arts.
7th & 8th Grade:
1st Place: Laura Leshaj, Eastchester Middle School
2nd Place: Cadence Kappel, Pelham Middle School
3rd Place (tie): Jacob Souza, Irvington Middle School
3rd Place (tie): Kate Bevan, North Salem Middle/High School
Honorable Mention: Ezra Shuf, Highlands Middle School
Honorable Mention: Emily Kasoff, Irvington Middle School
Honorable Mention: Rafe Goodyear, Pelham Middle School
9th & 10th Grade:
1st Place: Le Wang, Edgemont Senior High School
2nd Place: Isabella Vembenil, The Ursuline School
3rd Place: Haley Berger, Briarcliff High School