Prince William students win “Character Counts!” essay contest

Several Prince William-area students won the “Character Counts!” essay contest, hosted by the Prince William County Bar Association.

According to a release, the contest was “open to all students enrolled in public middle schools in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park”, and more than 250 essays were submitted.

The essays focused on the six pillars of “good character” that are recognized by the Character Counts! Program; trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship, according to a release.

“All first place winners received a $100 cash prize and all second place winners received a $50 cash prize.  These awards were made possible by a grant from the PWC Bar Foundation,” stated a release.

Here are the winners, from a release:

The first place winners were:  Shrey Gupta, 8^th grade, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School for Trustworthiness; Seerat Subzwari, 6^th grade, Potomac Middle School for Respect; Janna Elzaiat, 6^th grade, Potomac Middle School for Responsibility; Katherine Chambers, 7^th grade, Manassas Park Middle School for Fairness; John McDonald, 7^th grade, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School for Caring; and Allison An, 7^th grade, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School for Citizenship.

The second place winners were: Bayleigh Rogers, 7^th grade, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School for Trustworthiness;  Kimberly Alvarez, 6^th grade, Woodbridge Middle School for Respect; Maggie Son, 7^th grade, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School for Responsibility; Maggie Manning, 6^th grade, Herbert J. Saunders Middle School for Fairness; John Tran, 7^th grade, Manassas Park Middle School for Caring; Gabriela Padillas Cruz, 7^th grade, Manassas Park Middle School for Citizenship.

Here are some excerpts from Essay Contest Winners:

Trustworthiness, “The power of trustworthiness of one friend trumps the lack of it in tens or even hundreds of friends.”  By Shrey Gupta

Respect:  “Although it becomes difficult to respect someone that doesn’t do the same for you, that is when it becomes the most important.”  By Seerat Subzwari

Responsibility, “Responsible means that you do the things that you are expected to do and accept the results of your actions.”  By Janna Elzaiat

Fairness, “…fairness means taking action, without favoritism or discrimination.”  By Katherine Chambers

Caring, “Caring people stand up to bullies and are not just bystanders.”  John Tran

Citizenship, “Good citizens help neighbors and make sure elderly neighbors are doing well during a storm.”  Gabriela Padilla Cruz

For more about this and other community service programs sponsored by the PWC Bar visit them online at www.pwcba.org