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2021 ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS!!

The League of Women Voters of Greenwich and its affiliate high school clubs are pleased to announce the winners of their second annual essay contest for students in grades K-12. This year’s essay contest celebrates the first female vice president with the prompt: “Dear Madam Vice President”. Students were encouraged to write a letter of up to 500 words to Vice President Harris, sharing stories, advice, and wishes. 

The League received close to 200 submissions.   A panel of high school student judges followed an anonymous judging protocol to review the essays.   Scroll down for a complete list of the winners they chose, along with honorable mentions in each category, and links to the essays.  Here are the three winners!


Winner, High School Essay Contest

Amrutha Nandakumar, 9th grade, Greenwich High School

Watch Amrutha read her essay to Madam Vice President

Winner, Middle School Essay Contest

Arya Pelletiere, 6th grade,
Greenwich Country Day School

Watch Arya read her essay to Madam Vice President

Winner, Elementary Essay Contest.

Madeline Liew, 5th grade,
International School at Dundee

Watch Madeline read her essay to Madam Vice President


Here is the complete list of  winners and honorable mentions.  
Click on a name to read their essay.

High School Division (Grades 9-12)
Winner: Amrutha Nandakumar, 9th Grade, Greenwich High School
Honorable Mention: Brinkley Blum, 11th Grade, The Winchendon School
Honorable Mention: Spencer Emil Elkind, 10th Grade, The Harvey School
Honorable Mention: Hannon Stern, 9th Grade, Greenwich High School
Honorable Mention: Grace Turner, 11th Grade, Greenwich High School

Middle School Division (Grades 6-8)
Winner: Arya Devi Pelletier, Greenwich Country Day
Honorable Mention: Rhys Brooks, 6th Grade, Brunswick School
Honorable Mention: Olivia Figueiredo, 7th Grade, Sacred Heart Greenwich
Honorable Mention: Gabrielle Hughes, 6th Grade, Sacred Heart Greenwich
Honorable Mention: Elan Suttiratana, 7th Grade, Whitby School

Elementary School Division (Grades K-5)
Winner: Madeline Liew, 5th Grade, International School at Dundee
Honorable Mention: Kent Como, 5th Grade, Whitby School
Honorable Mention: Arabella McKersie, 1st grade, Cos Cob Elementary School
Honorable Mention: Arabella McKersie, 1st grade, Greenwich Academy
Honorable Mention: Catherine Riley, 4th Grade, Whitby School


Thank you to all 200 students who submitted essays and a very special thank you to Anne-Marie Hesser, LWV Greenwich chair of Youth Outreach!