Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly announced the winners of the “Looking Forward … to Change” writing contest, and Averill Park High School freshman Violet Dupuis was named a winner!
Violet entered the contest as an eighth grader at Algonquin Middle School and placed first in the 13-to-15-year-old division.
Winners from each age bracket will receive a prize, including an iPad for the first place winner, as well as Walmart gift cards for second and third place. The students wrote of their personal experiences and observations with regard to racism in our communities. More importantly, each essay shared ideas about moving forward and educating each other to work toward understanding and acceptance.
District Attorney Donnelly said, “I am impressed by all of the students and families who took the time to participate in the contest. I hope this is the start of a meaningful dialogue on this important topic. Thank you once again to the East Greenbush Walmart for their donation of prizes for this program.”
The winners’ names and their schools are:
*10 – 12 years old:
- First Prize – Mackenna Pashley, Hoosic Valley
- Second Prize – Kimelah Griffin- Sprague, Red Mill Elementary
- Third Prize – Cole Franklin, Knickerbocker Middle School
*13 – 15 years old:
- First Prize – Violet Dupuis, Averill Park
- Second Prize – Taquasha Jones, Columbia
- Third Prize – Ada Wu, Emma Willard
*16 – 18 years old:
- First Prize – Jordanne Brazie, Berlin Central
- Second Prize – Katie Asenbauer, Columbia High
- Third Prize – Shiquinta Wheatley, Troy High
