South Tahoe Middle School students win Soroptimist of Tahoe Sierra essay and poster contests

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Students from South Tahoe Middle School (STMS) were recognized by the Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra (SITS) club at their meeting on Thursday. The sixth-eighth graders were the winners of the club's Challenge Day essay and poster contests following the school's Challenge Day program.

After the SITS Club helped sponsor the two-day Challenge Day program, they opened two contests for all students to win a prize purse of $2,000 by writing essays and/or creating posters.

During the meeting, the students shared their artwork and read their essays to the appreciative audience of family, friends, and SITS members.

The essay prompt was "Imagine you're making your community a better place. As a middle school student what changes would you speak up for, and why?" The art poster prompt: "Imagine you're making your community a better place. How would you depict the changes artistically on a poster?"

Each first-place winner was awarded $200, and each second-place and honorable mention was given $100.

The Essay Contest Winners

6th Grade
1st - Rylee Fiel
2nd - Cassie Marion

7th Grade
1st - Emilie Tieslau
2nd - Evelyn Anderson

8th Grade
1st - Samantha Nantes
2nd - Soraya Parsi

Honorable Mention - Olivia Cupaiuolo

The Poster Contest Winners

6th Grade
1st - Cassie Marion
2nd - Makenna Martinez

7th Grade
1st - Hannah Martone
2nd - Vita Flaherty

8th Grade
1st - Anwen Davies
2nd - Masie Smith

Honorable Mention - Nixie Sarmiento

Challenge Day is a program that helps students connect across lines of difference, giving a sense of belonging, and giving students the tools to create the culture they want in the school.

The theme of the Challenge Day program is to "Be the Change."