Lake Shore Central School District

ANGOLA, NY – The William G. Houston (WGH) Middle School recently concluded its annual Black History Month Essay Contest, selecting winners from among dozens of thoughtful submissions across grades six, seven, and eight. This year’s contest challenged students to identify a Black American individual who has inspired change in their lives and to articulate the impact of that influence.

The submissions demonstrated a deep connection to the themes of inspiration and personal growth. Students throughout the middle school spent weeks reflecting on the legacy of influential figures and crafting original essays that details their specific impacts. A dedicated panel of Middle School Teachers carefully reviewed and scored each entry based on several key criteria, including identification of an influential individual, personal impact, and originality.

Thanks to the continued and generous sponsorship of the WGH MS Booster Club, top-scoring students in each grade level received Amazon Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $50. We are pleased to announce the following student authors as this year’s recognized winners:

Grade 8

Winner: Sydney Coventry
Runner Up: Mackenzie Markott

Grade 7

Winner: Paxton Maxon
Runner Up: Liam VanAernam

Grade 6

Winner: Camille Wattie
Runner Up: Kyle Kaitanowski

In addition to the grade-level scoring, all participating students were entered into a special drawing, recognizing the contribution of every voice. The Random Participation Winner, who also received an Amazon Gift Card, is Molly Berta.

The Lake Shore Central School District extends its thanks to all student participants for sharing their stories and honoring the vital legacy of Black History Month. Congratulations to all our recognized authors for their outstanding work. 🦅💚