Celebrating Women’s History Month with Essay Winners

In honor of Women’s History Month, State Rep. Craig Fishbein invited Wallingford 6^th grade students to take part in a volunteer Essay Contest with the theme “Important Women in Connecticut’s History and How Their Contribution to the State and Nation Affect Me.”

In recognition of the student’s efforts, Rep. Fishbein presented official state citations to Dag Hammarskjold  Middle School 6^th grade students, Valentina Tovar and Maya Lui, and James Moran 6^th grade student, Ian Mendes for their winning essays.

Dag student Valentina Tovar wrote her essay about the first female Governor, Ella Grasso. Like Tovar, Grasso was also the recipient of major awards, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom under the Reagan Administration. Runner up awardee Maya Lui wrote about Isabelle M. Kelly, Social Worker and main contributor to the Federal Food Stamp Program. Kelly also created the nationwide Penny Milk Program, as well as helped to create the National School Lunch Program.

At Moran, Ian Mendes earned a citation for his winning essay about the conservationist, Mable Osgood Wright. Ian shared that he wanted to learn more about Mable due to his love for nature and the outdoors, a fun similarity between Ian and Rep. Fishbein.

During the brief presentations, Rep. Fishbein expressed his thanks to Dag Hammarskjold Middle School Principal Frank Jawidzik, Moran Middle School Principal Joseph Piacentini, and 6^th grade Language Arts teacher Renee DeLeon, for encouraging such strong essay participation. Rep. Fishbein also acknowledged Ian’s parents Paulo and Natasha Mendes and his brother Spencer for attending.