Left to right: Front row - Terri Hacker (Mother of Abigail), Abigail Hacker (1st Place), Kaylea Landis (Honorable Mention), Brandon Madison (Jaedyn's Father), Jaedyn Madison (2nd Place), Teacher Adina Dodds, Olivia Slomski (3rd Place), Ian Petroski (Honorable Mention).
• Students in the Northridge High School ninth grade honors English class recently completed entries in the Optimist International Essay Contest, sponsored by Northridge Optimist Club. The topic of this year’s contest was “Can Society Function without Respect?”. An awards meeting was held during a pizza luncheon at the high school on Tuesday, March 13 to recognize the finalists. The winners were introduced by their teacher, Adina Dodds, who presented them with their awards.
​• The first place award went to Abigail Hacker, second place to Jaedyn Madison, and third place to Olivia Slomski. They each received an Olympic style medallion (gold, silver and bronze), a certificate for their placing, an Essay Contest pin, an Optimist stylus pen, and a gift card. Certificates were also presented for Honorable Mention for Kaylea Landis, Ian Petroski, and Allison Rettig. (Allison was not present at the award ceremony. They also received a contest pin and a stylus pen and a gift card. Abigail's winning essay will now compete statewide with other winning student essays for a chance at a $2500 scholarship from Optimist International. A certificate of thanks and gift cards were also given to Ms. Dodds for her efforts in directing the contest and inspiring the students to create their excellent essays.
• In addition to the students, teacher, and Optimist members, Northridge Schools Superintendent Dave Jackson, School Principal Craig Ewing, Guidance Counselor Trish Engle, Curriculum Coordinator Laura Inkrott, and District Testing Coordinator Kim Harnett were also in attendance representing Northridge Schools. (Laura and Kim are also club members). Also, Terri Hacker, mother of 1st Place Abigail, and Brandon Madison, father of 2nd Place Jaedyn, were on hand to see their students receive their awards.
See more photos in the slide show below.