Fountain Hills High School students willing to speak their mind about drugs, alcohol, peer pressure and more were recognized for their efforts last week as part of the 2014 Fountain Hills Coalition Essay Contest.

Out of nearly 300 entrants, junior Kaylin George brought home the honors for the best essay.

Earlier this year, students were tasked with writing essays tackling one of three topics.

They could focus on their concerns for their own generation and what could be done to address those concerns, life lessons and how they’ve been used to empower the student to deal with peer pressure, or they could consider a teacher or adult who has had a positive impact in their life and the results of that influence.

In total, 280 students submitted essays for the competition, all of whom were awarded a free Wendy’s Frosty for their efforts.

On Friday, Feb. 14, students who wrote the top three essays and 14 runners up, along with their parents, teachers, community members, contest judges and coalition members, were treated to a Redendo’s catered lunch and awards ceremony.

The 14 honorable mention essay writers each received a $25 reward while third place took home $50, second place took home $100 and first place took home $500.

“Congratulations to the students who took part in the contest,” said Fountain Hills Unified School District Superintendent Tom Lawrence.

“I’m sure some of you took some emotional risks to put yourselves out there and tell your stories, and for that you should be commended.”

Essays ranged with a variety of topics including substance abuse, the power of words, family, peer pressure, bullying and more.

Students recognized with honorable mentions were Gabrielle Biehl, Andrew Cooper, Brooke Hall, Olivia Lagnese, Rebekah Noble, Katie Petkus, Tyler Wedding, Mikaeli Blake, Nataly Gruender, Danielle Hinni, Kiley Munch, Dominique Pettit, Marissa Phillips and Jalin Yoder.

Excerpts from each essay were read as students were recognized.

Olivia Lagnese wrote about a wish to see a yearning to accomplish great things in the faces of her peers.

“To look into eyes and know that they too will not be satisfied until all their highest mountains are climbed,” she said.

“The people of my generation need to see that when each individual sets out to live with their pulse, their drive, to find and catch their dream, we will all create something that is bigger than ourselves.”

Dominique Petitt wrote about the impact her father has had on her life, saying that she remembers his messages about being positive and loving the people in her life, while Rebekah Noble discussed the lessons and love she has experienced thanks to a sister living with autism.

Andrew Cooper tackled the technology that infests the everyday life of a teen, stating that the desire to say in touch with everyone, at every moment of the day, detracts from enjoying a life lived in the moment.

“Turning off the phones allows us to focus on what’s happening all around us instead of what is happening on a four-inch rectangle an arm’s length away,” he added.

Taking third place in the essay contest was Lucas Folch, discussing the concerns he and his peers face in day to day life.

Second place went to Sara Karoli, who spoke about the challenges she overcame going to a new school in a new country and the teacher who helped her find her true potential.

Kaylin George’s first place essay [see attached] discussed the impact one can have on a small scale and how, if enough people are doing enough small wonders, it can add up to big changes.

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