Dunedin Awards Students For Essays On Inspirational People

DUNEDIN, FL — The month of November was National Inspirational Role Models Month. The city of Dunedin partnered with the Dunedin Youth Guild, Kiwanis Club of Dunedin and Staples to host an essay contest that celebrates role models in the lives of youth.

The essay contest allowed students in elementary through high school to submit an essay sharing who their roles models are, what makes them inspirational and how they have made a positive impact on their life.

Isabella Borgman, 9, from McMullen Elementary School wrote about her mother, Rachel Borgman, who inspires Bella to be a kind person and to do nice things for people. Additionally, Bella said her mother inspires her to try new foods which introduced her to her love for pickles as well as help her practice her back bends for gymnastics.

Leland Kensinger, 13, from Oak Grove Middle School wrote about his grandfather, Tom Santoriell, who taught Leland to use humor to help lift someone up who is feeling down. Leland also writes about how his grandfather encouraged him to go to camp this past summer. Leland not only made lifelong friends, but he had experiences of venturing in the woods, went on hikes, and had a blast. Leland wrote about a time he encouraged his friend in summer camp to take and pass the swim test. His friend was scared.

Leland showed the way he swims as not being perfect either. And, together, his friend passed the swim test. Leland gives credit to his grandfather for giving him the courage to try and pass the swim test also this year. Congratulations to Leland and his grandfather.

Isabella and Leland both received a prize bag filled with writing supplies and a $50 gift card to Barnes and Noble.