West Hartford Names America 250 Essay Contest Winners, Who Won?

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The West Hartford Mayor’s Youth Council announced the winners of the “Weha the People” student essay contest during Celebrate! West Hartford on June 6, recognizing students who explored the legacy of local historical figures as part of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.

The contest challenged students to write essays about individuals who helped shape West Hartford, examining both their historical impact and their influence on the community today.

In the middle school division, Miranda Frisbie of King Philip Middle School earned first place for “The Legacy of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet.”

Nina Mattamana of Kingswood Oxford School placed second with “From Chains to the Classroom: Bristow’s Fight for Freedom Shapes West Hartford,” and Brendan Sills, also of Kingswood Oxford School, took third place for “Louise Duffy: A Trailblazer with a Lasting Legacy.”

In the high school division, Daniel Shmuel of Hall High School won first place for “Tracey Wilson: A Pioneer for Justice, History, and Community.”

Bella Nguyen of Conard High School placed second for “The Man Behind the Masterpiece,” while Lolo Zheng of Hall High School earned third place for “One Silenced, Now Honored: How a Man Denied an Education Became a Middle School’s Namesake.”

Students received cash awards based on placement, with first-place winners receiving $500, second-place winners receiving $250 and third-place winners receiving $100.

The winners were recognized on stage during Celebrate! West Hartford on June 6.

The winning essays are available on the Town of West Hartford’s America 250 webpage at this link.

From Feb. 1: 'Get Writing: West Hartford Youth Essay Contest Focuses On Local History.'