Student Writing Contest

2012 Essay Contest Winners

Virginia - Central Region Winner

Oprah Winfrey
by Kierra Washington
Thomas Dale High School
Chester, VA

Oprah Winfrey is an outstanding example for every young black female who desires to be something in life. Just knowing she made it through all the obstacles life threw at her and became as successful as she is shows me that I can be whatever I want to be.  I’ll never forget a quote I read in one of her articles a few years back. She said, "The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude." This is the quote I’ve been living my life by ever since. Because she changed her attitude, her future turned out brighter than anyone expected.

Oprah's story undoubtedly demonstrates the concept of "Rags to Riches." She was sexually abused and eventually alone after running away at the age of 14. After having a horrible life, things started to change for the better when she won the title of Miss Black Tennessee. She then decided to move to Baltimore, where she co-hosted her first talk show, People Are Talking. The audience loved her so much that in less than a year the show was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show and she was named the host. In 1986 Oprah formed her own production company, Harpo Productions, Inc. In 1988, Harpo Productions acquired ownership and all production responsibilities for The Oprah Winfrey Show from Capitol Cities/ABC, making Oprah Winfrey the first woman in history to own and produce her own talk show. Oprah’s achievements don’t stop there; she’s had her hand in many projects, such as movies and TV shows, and even received Emmy awards.

If you ask me which one of the strong men and women honorees has made the biggest impact on my life, I’d proudly say Oprah Winfrey. Her audacious attitude made way for her marvelous future and paved the way for young women like me. Her story has shown me that neither where I come from nor what I've been through should deter my ambitions. It’s up to me to have the right attitude so I can have a future with endless possibilities.

Virginia - Eastern Region Winner

Barack Obama
by Michael Holloman
Granby High School
Norfolk, VA

Barack Obama may seem like an obvious essay topic for a member of Generation Y, but for me, he represents more than just a president. He represents hope, pride, hard work and dedication. He is a symbol to many young African-American men like myself who have all of the odds against them but still fight each and every day to make something positive out of themselves.

I can recall the night of November 4, 2008, when ABC announced Barack Obama as the new President of the United States of America. I jumped up and down in excitement, and I also remember crying because for the first time in my life, I was witnessing black history right in front of me, and this would be something I could tell my future children about. Barack Obama is so special to me because he makes me want to work harder to achieve my goals. I can honestly say that the day he became president was the day my dreams and aspirations for myself became more lavish and grand. Some may call these dreams "impossible," but I look at them as achievable because on the night of November 4, 2008, I saw that the "impossible" could become possible. Barack Obama taught me to fight past societal barriers and taught me that you can’t blame anyone for holding you back: The decision to fight for your dreams is all up to you and you alone.

Barack Obama is a role model to a generation of young African-American men who have gone astray and lost hope in their dreams because of society. He has taught me and countless others that you can’t live in a bubble because of the history of the United States. You have to be willing to step out and carve your own path and fight for the dreams that are rightfully yours.

Barack Obama has taught me to strive for the absolute best for not only myself but others around me. Because of him I am now a believer of my dreams, and I know that my goals are not impossible.

Virginia - Northern Region Winner

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Monumental Man
by Sam Bosley
Langston High School Continuation Program
Arlington, VA

More than 40 years ago, a king was killed. Not an ancient king, or a modern monarch, but rather the king of a movement for equality, a husband, and a father who captivated a nation. This king’s words and actions changed millions of lives; his impact on history left a visible footprint that has become legendary. This year, his image became a permanent monument in the U.S. capital.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., accomplished more than just the non-violent movement for African-Americans’ civil rights that most remember. He worked to make the promise of the Declaration of Independence a reality, supporting the rights and freedoms of all people, including Latinos, Native Americans, and poverty-stricken white men and women. Belief in the rights of all people has led those close to him to speculate, had he not been assassinated, that he would have supported today’s movements for women’s rights, gay equality, and world peace.

An impassioned advocate, King fought for social and economic justice. King believed that all people were entitled to living standards, employment, housing, nourishment, education, health care, and equal treatment under the law. In his words, "The right to sit at a lunch counter is empty if you cannot afford a meal."

Dr. King’s "I Have a Dream" speech exemplifies what a multifaceted leader he was. He acknowledged the facts of his reality, and challenged them, hoping one day to eradicate them. He embodied an active leader; challenging the status-quo and refusing to compromise. King was unwilling to simply accept the times, or the world around him; instead, he worked to change them, make them fit his "dream." King transformed civil rights into an urgent matter, refusing to wait on the natural progression of events, while motivating others to work for change. He and his followers pushed civil rights up the political agenda, eventually facilitating enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Dr. King organized, marched, preached, and wrote, and was subjected to frequent death threats for fighting for the "dream" he believed in.

Virginia - Western Region Winner

Sherian Grace Cadoria
by Meagan Swortzel
Turner Ashby High School
Bridgewater, VA

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."

Sherian Grace Cadoria began life on a Louisiana cotton field, and her future held a military career filled with honors. She pioneered the way for women in many military positions as well as volunteering as a no-salary principal for two years at Marksville Catholic School. However, through the eyes of Emerson, one can see that it is what was within Cadoria that made her such an extraordinary individual.

Cadoria was given a lot in life that many would consider as beginning with two strikes against her. One, she was an African American and two, she was a woman. She was faced with many challenges, but did not see them as obstacles, only opportunities through which she excelled in her career. She possessed within her determination, a sound work ethic, generosity and leadership. These traits are what have driven her to be a trendsetter and an inspiration to me.

Cadoria is a role model not only for me, but for all young women. I strongly believe that if all people, no matter their gender, race, or lot in life, set their standards as high as she did that this world would be a better place. She did not let her circumstance determine who she would become. I am sure that in her life she was told, "No, you can’t," "Women don’t do that" or "Black women don’t do that." I hope that I can live my life with the same devotion and fortitude she lived every day.

My past has been lived as a pastor’s daughter, and I plan for my future to be a teacher. But I know that to truly make an impact I must, just as Sherian Grace Cadoria did, confront the face of opposition to truly impact the children that I will come across. I hope to instill that same determination in each student that I meet so that I may truly influence the future of education.

Ohio Region (winner 1)

Langston Hughes
by Tianna O'Neal
Charles F. Brush High School
Lyndhurst, OH

If given the opportunity to meet one of the Strong Men or Women honorees, I would choose Langston Hughes. I feel that Hughes and I would be able to connect on a very personal level. I say this because throughout his life he accomplished so much without being handed anything.

Reading the biography of Langston Hughes, I found that I can relate to some of the things he went through in his life with different events that are going on in my life now. He grew up with a feeling of abandonment from his parents that caused him to feel insecure and unsure of himself. I, too, am currently going through some family issues that are causing me to have the same feelings. This influenced the writings of Langston Hughes and gave him the strength and motivation he needed to put into his writing.

It encourages me when I read about someone who survived similar situations throughout his younger years and still became successful and was so passionate about what he believes. I am able to see the meaning of words outside their everyday meaning. In school I enjoy revealing the mystery beyond the words in a story. I am good at analyzing slogans and understanding what they represent, which is exactly what Langston Hughes brought to the table.

Hughes’ famous quote states: "Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it." This quote inspires me because I am a person who enjoys finding the good things in life rather than dwelling on the bad. To me it means that when things are not going as planned in your life, then you have the option to get down about it or laugh about it, and move on to make that bad situation something better. I believe that Hughes had a lot more of his story to tell before he died in 1967 after abdominal surgery. I would feel honored to have the opportunity to sit down with Langston Hughes and discuss life, morals, reasoning, and experiences.

Ohio Region (winner 2)

Judge Patricia Ann Blackmon
by Serenity Sanders
SuccessTech Academy
Cleveland, OH

Throughout history, African-American women have been considered non-existent, unimportant, and inferior people. On more than one occasion, it has been said that being a black woman is only representative of struggle, unfulfilled dreams and aspirations.

Judge Patricia Ann Blackmon would not see these degrading remarks as being fit for what a black woman really is. Being a "strong woman" is an understatement when it comes to Blackmon. She has had such a strong impact on many people’s lives, including mine. She has dedicated her life to bettering herself and helping better the people in the community that surrounds her.

I would like to give recognition to her because she has influenced me to go far in life by showing me that I am the only one stopping myself from achieving greatness. Moving forward and exceeding all expectations has always been a part of her, for she is the first of four generations in her family to graduate college. Being excellent and successful in life has brought many opportunities for her to do great things, not only for herself, but for others as well, like helping to open countless women’s and children’s shelters and having numerous food drives.

She is a great woman with a big heart of generosity and love. Serving as an assistant director of the victims/witness program, Blackmon has not only helped give people hope, strength, and the will to survive, but she also has helped to give people a second chance at life. What I admire most about Patricia Ann Blackmon is her will to be strong for herself and others.

Judge Blackmon has given back to the community tremendously and has done a lot to be admired. She has made me realize that no matter what your background or circumstances, you can do whatever you set your mind to. Patricia Ann Blackmon is a great woman of noble character and an excellent example of what hard work, perseverance, and diligence really is and how far it can take you in life.

Ohio Region (winner 3)

Jay Williams
by Mikel Zeidenstein
Boardman High School
Boardman, OH

Youngstown, a small, desolate town of roughly 81,000, is home to a man who is an inspiration for all. Mayor Jay Williams is renowned throughout this town as a hero and a respectable man of power. As a native of Youngstown, I have strongly believed in his ability to pilot my hometown back to its days of prosperity. There is not a single Youngstownian who can say that Jay Williams has not impacted their lives.

I can clearly remember the year of 2005 when he was running for election. Everyone was astounded. Was an African American really in the race for the mayor of Youngstown? As you can imagine this was a heavy issue for our town -- an inexperienced 33-year-old mayor? He promised change and economic prosperity for our depressed, misfortunate town. As a result of the large African-American population supporting him, he gained the edge and won by a landslide over the strong Democrat Bob Hagen.

Since his term began, Williams has fulfilled his promises to the best of his ability. He issued zoning laws that tore down vacant, rundown buildings downtown and redesigned the one-time prosperous neighborhoods. It is really a marvelous sight to drive in the small city and not have to acknowledge and observe all the demolished areas, where horrid buildings once stood. When I view these areas I feel a sense of hope. I know that our town will never probably return to its kingship days of the booming steel industry, but these rezoned areas symbolize the want for change and prosperity. Also, the mayor’s determination for wealth has led to Youngstown being considered one of the top 10 cities in the country to start a business in.

Overall, our mayor has redefined our town to become a promising and eventful place of inspiration for all struggling areas. Jay Williams is leading my town into a prosperous setting once more. If any African American has impacted my life, even if it’s a minute sense of hope, it’s definitely Mayor Jay Williams.