Essay contest winner Megan Hauss stands with her parents at the D&R Towpath in Franklin Township, NJ.
“Women have always contributed to our society in critical ways, and we want our young people to see how important it is to recognize and celebrate women’s achievements,” said Somerset County Commissioner Sara Sooy, liaison to SCCSW. “The essay contest encourages students to consider the impact that women outside their immediate families have on our history and society.”
“We wanted to provide an activity that would engage students intellectually,” said Chair of SCCSW, Karen Thomas. “We were thrilled that we had so many submissions, which exceeded our expectations and helped us launch a successful contest.”
“Inspirational Women” and Essay Excerpts
Inary Fernandez – First Place Winner, 9th Grade, North Plainfield High School, North Plainfield, honored her soccer coach Katrina Guevara
“Coach Kat inspired me to become more dedicated and work harder. I am lucky to have someone like her to guide me through my journey both on and off the field.”
Leila Qadri, 7th Grade, Warren Middle School, Warren, anonymously honored her schoolteacher
“Even though we face challenges in life, we choose how we deal with them. Although I have learned a great deal in [my teacher’s] class, the most important lesson she has taught me is to have courage and perseverance when faced with hardship.”
Amiya Harish – 8th Grade, William Annin Middle School, Bernards Township, honored her piano teacher Gloria Chu
“Inspiration is not just watching someone in awe. It is watching them in such awe that it sows seeds of motivation for improvement in one’s own life. Difficult to mold into a few words of definition, inspiration is something that gives us the courage to choose each path we take in our journey of life and motivates us to persevere through the roller coaster of humanity.”
“To me, inspiration is something that makes me look at the world in a new light and gives me the ability to find purpose in my life. But more than this, inspiration is what gives me the grit to push through the struggles I face.”
Ian Dinish – 10th Grade, North Plainfield High, North Plainfield, honored a family friend
“She is easy to talk with, she is confidential, and she is there any time something is going on in the neighborhood. I know a few times I had to share my thoughts with someone who would just listen and not judge me.”
“While she was taking care of our family, she was also doing other things for other people in the neighborhood. She is always so busy doing things for others and wants nothing in return. Whenever she is asked to do something or help in any way, she is always there willing to do more. I am thankful to have a woman like this in my life.”
Pooja Karan – 11th Grade, Ridge High, Basking Ridge, honored piano teacher Oksana Telepko
“As a Ukrainian herself, Mrs. Oksana Telepko was devastated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, she dedicated all her free time to use her gift of playing the piano to raise money for Ukraine through churches and charity events. She had made the world a better place, and I was inspired to be just like her.”
Megan Hauss – 12th Grade, Franklin High, Somerset, honored Girl Scout Leader Keri Gould
“Last summer, she returned to camp to lead an outdoor program that I attended. The program included a backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail, where we hiked over seventeen miles in three days. The fact that she rose above the statistics and proved how powerful and strong women are, has given me so much motivation to pursue my own major goals.” To read the entire essay, click here.
For more information about the SCCSW, click here.
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