IS 141 student wins Veterans Day essay contest

Seventh grade student Anastasia Tsakonas from IS 141 in Astoria received top honors in Congressman Joe Crowley’s annual Veterans Day essay competition.

In the contest, middle school students are asked to write about what it means to commemorate Veterans Day. Nearly 300 students submitted entries.

“As we pause each year to pay tribute to our veterans and their families, our annual essay competition gives our youth an opportunity to express their appreciation and a platform to share that gratitude beyond their dinner tables, classrooms and communities,” Crowley said.

The congressman presented Anastasia with a framed copy of her essay, which was entered into the Congressional Record.

Runners up for the contest are also seventh graders from IS 141: Zainab Hamid and Irena Marsalek. They received certificates of congressional recognition.

Here’s an excerpt from Anastasia’s essay:

“Veterans Day is our reminder that we need to honor and celebrate all the men and women who have served or are currently serving in our military. It takes a lot of courage and strength to enter the military and purposely leave behind everything you love.”