Senator Lanza Hosts Annual Memorial Day Essay Contest

Senator Andrew Lanza said: “I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to the students who participated in my annual Memorial Day Essay Contest. Their work was extraordinary. It was extremely moving to read the heartfelt responses of students about why they feel Memorial Day is such an important day. These fifth grade students are wise beyond their age. They have clearly articulated just how important it is to recognize the sacrifices of our armed forces and to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. I also want to thank their parents and educators for all of the hard work that they do to make sure children in our community are reaching their fullest potential.”

Staten Island, New York- Senator Andrew Lanza hosted his Annual Memorial Day Essay Contest to award 5^th grade students across Staten Island for the exemplary work that they demonstrated with their essays. The essay topic was “What Does Memorial Day Mean To Me?”

 Fifth grade students from schools throughout Staten Island took part in this annual essay contest where each essay submission required 150 to 175 words on their own thoughts regarding what Memorial Day means to them. Teachers sent their students’ completed essays to the office of Senator Lanza where a winner was selected from each participating school. Those selected were recognized at a ceremony on Friday, May 18, 2018 at IS 24.

The 2018 “What Memorial Day Means To Me” essay contest winners are:

Academy of St. Dorothy - Christopher Bala

Blessed Sacrament - Christopher Meagher and Alex Vargas

Gateway Academy - Priscilla Andes and Kayla Martinez

Holy Rosary - Ashley Tsybulevskiy

Our Lady of Good Counsel - Lily Bosco, Jason Perez, and Kassidy Nugent

Our Lady Help of Christians - Tyler Ingerman 

Our Lady Star of the Sea - Angelina Aguanno and Angelo Bonura

PS 1 - Vanessa Celentano

PS 3 - Oliver Wadowiec and Farrah Pascarella

PS 6 - Francesca Giove and Matthew Sherman

PS 8 - Max Ricca and Mellanie Gonzalez

PS 11 - Nicholas Verardi

PS 23 - Sydney Russo, Angelina Scarponi and Ralph Grimaldi 

PS 26 - Brianna Bunay and Amber Dantoni

PS 32 - Vincent Ascione and Carly Morales

PS 36 - Maxim Elberg

PS 38 - Veronika Madissoo

PS 48 - Matthew Brodsky and Paloma Giarrusso

PS 53 - Anna Cunningham and Patrick Tullo

PS 54 - Gloria Jayarajah

St. Adalbert - Andrew Korsberg

St. Clare School - Joseph Costa and Allison Tricomi

St. Patrick’s School- Carmine Cancro

Senator Andrew Lanza said: “I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to the students who participated in my annual Memorial Day Essay Contest. Their work was extraordinary. It was extremely moving to read the heartfelt responses of students about why they feel Memorial Day is such an important day. These fifth grade students are wise beyond their age. They have clearly articulated just how important it is to recognize the sacrifices of our armed forces and to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. I also want to thank their parents and educators for all of the hard work that they do to make sure children in our community are reaching their fullest potential.”