Plymouth Middle School eighth-grader wins first place in Human Rights Essay Contest at the school level

Plymouth Middle School eighth-grader Nadrat Amos recently won first place in the Human Rights Essay Contest at the school level, and her essay will now advance to the state level of competition.

The New Hope Human Rights Commission, working in collaboration with Plymouth Middle School, sponsored participation in the statewide essay contest and nearly 300 entries were received. In her essay, Amos wrote about her own experiences with discrimination as an African immigrant, saying that she “learned from an early age that there are huge barriers dividing Africans and African-Americans in the area where I live.” She closes by saying that people should celebrate their differences “instead of criticizing them.”

“Nadrat’s essay stood out because the examples she used were very relevant in relationship to issues facing Muslims in today’s world, particularly Muslim women,” said Susan Beaubaire, the vice chair of the New Hope Human Rights Commission and a retired Robbinsdale Area Schools English and speech teacher. “The most moving part of her essay was her own personal account of her experience dealing with hate speech. She wrote an engaging essay that was well documented and offered her own opinions on how we as citizens can alleviate hate speech throughout the world and in society.”

“Nadrat has such a great mind,” said Lauren Adams, her eighth-grade English teacher. “She is always searching for a deeper meaning, so she takes our classroom discussions to a high level of thinking. Nadrat is a great asset to our class and this school because she is a role model. On many occasions, she has helped other students in the class, motivating them to succeed as she has. I am so proud of the work she has done, and I hope she continues to inspire others.”

Eighth-graders Savannah Smith and Benyoshi Aoki-Sherwood were awarded second and third prize, respectively. Luke Opat, Alia Rocha and Alyssa Hanson each received an honorable mention. All were recognized during the New Hope City Council meeting Monday, April 27.

Photo: (From left) Savannah Smith, Benyoshi Aoki-Sherwood and Nadrat Amos