East Lake sixth-grader Jacqueline Paduano has always loved to write, and her passion for the art shined through recently when she was named the grand prize winner of Optimum Community’s inaugural Black History Month Essay Contest. Paduano competed against 457 sixth- through eighth-grade students, and as one of the youngest contestants in the category, the win was that much sweeter, according to East Lake Principal Thomas McKillop, III.
“Jacqueline is very insightful and her essay showcased that,” he said.
The contest challenged students to write a 500 or less word essay on a past or present African American with whom they would chose to spend a day with and to explain why. Paduano chose to write about musician Stevie Wonder after she performed a tap routine to his song, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” Her essay, titled, “Music in Braille,” points to how inspirational he is as a blind musician and in a descriptive, conversational style explains to the reader how she would spend a day with the music icon.
“He is so very interesting and inspiring because he is blind,” said Paduano. “He is a great example of a person who has fulfilled his dreams.”
As grand prize winner, Paduano won an iPad and a keyboard, which was presented to her by Optimum host Shawna Ryan at her school before McKillop, assistant principal Bryan Piotrowski, Paduano’s sixth-grade ELA teacher Kim Cawley and classmates, and her family members, including her mother, Kelly and her siblings, Victor and Ariana, who, with Paduano, are triplets.
When Cawley learned of the essay contest, she jumped at the chance to enter her students. East Lake submitted 90 essays, more than any other school, according to Optimum representatives. All the students received certificates for their achievement in the contest.
“I am immensely proud of all of my students, especially Jacqueline, who writes from her heart and to me that’s what writing is about,” said Cawley.
Paduano was interviewed by Optimum and will appear on the Neighborhood Journal Show on Optimum TV channel 118 on May 15 at 7 p.m.
