Story by The Journal
SPRING MILLS -- Spring Mills High School is proud to announce the winner of its first-ever National Hispanic American Heritage Month Essay Contest. The contest aimed to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Hispanic Americans and encouraged students to express their pride, struggles and aspirations through writing.
The winning essay was submitted by tenth-grade student, Jasmine Gutierrez, a student in Mrs. Erika White’s English Language Arts class. In her poignant essay, she eloquently detailed her pride in her Hispanic heritage, the challenges she has faced, and her hopes for the future as a Hispanic American. Her insightful reflections resonate with the experiences of many and highlight the importance of cultural identity and resilience. Gutierrez is a member of JROTC and the granddaughter of Donna Llewellyn and John Llewelyn of Martinsburg and the daughter of Francis Garcia of Martinsburg and Gabino Gutierrez, of Mexico.
As part of her recognition, Gutierrez was presented with a custom acrylic award plaque, a certificate of achievement and an Amazon gift card. Additionally, her winning essay will be included in Spring Mills High School’s student-produced literary magazine, Lucid, showcasing the literary talent and artistic creativity of the Spring Mills High School student body.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our students and their voices through this essay contest,” said Mark Salfia, principal of Spring Mills High School. “This initiative not only honors National Hispanic American Heritage Month but also empowers our students to share their stories and experiences.”
The contest’s organizer, Spring Mills High School’s ESL teacher and former Berkeley County Teacher of the Year, Rebecha Catlett stated, “The National Hispanic American Heritage Month Essay Contest is a testament to Spring Mills High School’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where every student’s voice is valued.”