Past Contests

In November, 2011, we held the first Essay Contest: How a Minute of Kindness Can Change a Day”

Thank you to all who entered the 2011/2012 “How a Minute of Kindness Can Change a Day” Writing Contest!  We had hundreds of entries, with powerful stories of how kindness impacts classrooms, communities, home life, friendships and the entire world.

Read the winning essays below and be inspired to change your world with an intentional act of kindness today!

Grand Prize Winners:

 

Phoenix, Arizona:
Amalia Frohna, Grade 8, Cocopah Middle School (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Emaree Vanzant, Grade 5, Sunset Hills Elementary (essay Page 1)   (essay Page 2)
Emily Trent, Grade 9, Westwood High School  (essay Page 1)   (essay Page 2)
Halee Workman, Grade 1, Horseshoe Trails Elementary    (essay Page 1) (essay Page 2)
Isaac Garcia, Grade 6, Washington Elementary  (essay)
Julia Siclovan, Grade 2, Coyote Ridge Elementary  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Livia Del Housaye, Grade 4, Paradise Valley Christian Prep  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Megan Weidle, Grade 12, Westwood High School  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Nate Van Ness, Grade 6, Cocopah Middle School  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Zach Hendin, grade 3, Desert View Learning Center  (essay)

Kansas City, Missouri
Angelique Wright, grade 3, Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy   (essay)
Camille Gayden, Grade 12, ACE Collegium Campus  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Jonniece Mansaw, Grade 4, Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy  (essay)
Marlai’ah Thomas, Grade 2, Brookside Charter and Dayschool   (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)  (essay Page 3)
Richaad Winn, Grade 5, Pathway Academy  (essay)
Shanyla Myers, Grade K, George Melcher Elementary   (essay)

 

2nd Place Winners:

 

Phoenix, Arizona:
Ayden Schure, Grade 1, Horseshoe Trails Elementary  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Connor Cole, Grade 6, Sweetwater Elementary  (essay)
Dawson Durbin, Grade 2, Horseshoe Trails Elementary (essay Page 1)   (essay Page 2)
Dorian Bruch, Grade 9, Westwood High School  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Grace Karam, Grade 8, Cocopah Middle School  (essay Page 1)   (essay Page 2)
Kaila Frohna, Grade 6, Cocopah Middle School   (essay Page 1)   (essay Page 2)
Vincenzo Pinzone, Grade 5, Sunset Hills Elementary  (essay)
Wyeth Davis, Grade 3, Desert View Learning Center  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Zac Kresin, Grade 4, Paradise Valley Christian Prep  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)

Kansas City, Missouri
Edith Almanza, Grade 5, Pathway Academy  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Jaylen Pettiford, Grade 2, Brookside Charter and Dayschool   (essay)
Leshantai Bailey, Grade K, George Melcher Elementary  (essay)
Reginald Harris II, Grade 4, Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy  (essay Page 1)  (essay page 2)
Shaniyah Freeman, Grade 3, Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy  (essay)

 

3rd Place Winners:

 

Phoenix, Arizona:
Allyson Mann, Grade 8, Cocopah Middle School  (essay Page 1)   (essay Page 2)
Devin McAtee, Grade 1, Horseshoe Trails Elementary  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Genesis Reyes, Grade 6, Coyote Ridge Elementary   (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Jessica Terlizzi, Grade 4, Paradise Valley Christian Prep   (essay)
Maya Handelman, Grade 3, Desert View Learning Center   (essay)
Nicole Lucero, Grade 9, Westwood High School  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Ryan Hughes, Grade 2, Horseshoe Trails Elementary  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Samantha Garcia, Grade 5, Sunset Hills Elementary  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)  (essay Page 3)

Kansas City, Missouri
Daniel Johnson, Grade 3, Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Nakyiah Hopkins, Grade 5, Pathway Academy  (essay Page 1)  (essay Page 2)
Neiko McKoncal, Grade K, George Melcher Elementary  (essay)
Samuele Asher, Grade 2, Brookside Charter and Dayschool  (essay)
Xavier Lou, Grade 4, Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy  (essay)

 

Congratulations to you all! We thank you kindly for participating!

We will make Prize Presentations to the Grand Prize winners in March. We will also deliver 2nd and 3rd Place awards, and honorable mentions, in March.

“I love writing.  I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.”
-James Michener