Morristown Middle Schooler Wins Statewide Essay Contest

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A Morristown middle school student has been announced as a winner in a statewide essay contest.

Ruby Kessler, an eighth-grader at Frelinghuysen Middle School, has won the middle school award for the New Jersey Education Association’s “2026 Who Belongs in the New Jersey Hall of Fame” essay contest.

Ruby’s essay discussed why Larry Abrams, Founder and CEO of Book Smiles, should be in the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

“Ruby writes that Abrams is a role model with a passion for helping others,” a statement reads. “By making books accessible to kids, Abrams is building a smart, compassionate way to support communities that lack access to books.”

Ruby joins fellow winners: fifth-grader Rishitha Nalluri, of Edison, and 11th-grader Ashley Gaibor, of Paterson. The trio each earned a $500 scholarship, which can go towards a camp, program, or extracurricular activity of their choice.

“NJEA members are proud of the students we educate, and we are pleased once again to partner with the New Jersey Hall of Fame to recognize this year’s outstanding essay contest winners and Areté Scholarship recipients,” said New Jersey Education Association President Steve Beatty. “The students who earned these honors, together with the many others who submitted thoughtful essays, showed a deep commitment to building a better future for us all. We congratulate them and wish them success as they continue their learning journeys.”