(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Elisabeth Morrow School eighth-grader Esmé Talenfeld from Nyack, New York, won the prestigious 2019 Scholastic National Gold Medal Award for her poem “Thank you Mrs…..” Out of a pool of more than 350,000 student participants nationwide, less than 3,000 students win the coveted awards.
Talenfeld wrote her poem in the Write On! elective. The idea was originally generated through a writing exercise that began with a series of "I am" statements. Esme took the exercise in a slightly different direction by choosing to write about a beloved elementary school teacher, rather than write about herself. The poem is about a former teacher's willingness to share stories from her own childhood and how those stories created a culture of inclusivity in the classroom.
Northern New Jersey Regional Gold Awards were also presented to eighth graders Dream Champell-Aldrich and Phoebe Han, for their photography. These two students were honored on February 28 at 6 p.m. at an awards ceremony and opening reception at Montclair Art Museum.
“Elisabeth Morrow School is incredibly proud of all of our students’ remarkable achievements honoring their prowess for using their skills,” said Judith Fox, Elisabeth Morrow Interim Head of School. “We look forward to many more great works from all of our talented students who participated in this year’s competition.”
Scroll down for the complete List of Elisabeth Morrow Student Recognized in the 2019 Scholastic Art and Writing Competition
Dream Champell-Aldrich, New York Brownstones, Gold Key Photography
Phoebe Han, Orange Leaf, Gold Key Photography
Shira Mandelzis, Inside of a Wedding Dress, Silver Key Photography
Jaeyun (Emily) Kang, Light and Shadow, Honorable Mention Photography
Jaeyun (Emily) Kang, Hole, Honorable Mention Photography
Jaeyun (Emily) Kang, The Path, Honorable Mention Photography
Michelle Kim, Le point de vue de Victor Hugo, Honorable Mention Photography
Sean Lee, Swoon, Honorable Mention Flash Fiction, and Kamikaze 2.0, Gold Key Humor
Keren Mandelzis, drip, Honorable Mention Photography
Keren Mandelzis, pinceaux, Honorable Mention Photography
Shira Mandelzis, Pin Bombardment, Gold Key Personal Essay/Memoir
Esmé Talenfeld, Roses, Silver Key Poetry
Toirasia Singleton , A New Beginning, Honorable Mention Personal Essay/Memoir
Harmony Zhu, Strain, Honorable Mention Photography
Harmony Zhu, Golden Linings Underwater, Honorable Mention Photography
The Elisabeth Morrow School is an independent country day school serving children, age three through eighth grade, from more than 70 communities throughout New Jersey and New York. EMS provides an innovative 21st-century curriculum focusing on critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and character development. The school’s comprehensive secondary school placement process ensures graduates matriculate into premier day and boarding schools. Located on 14 wooded acres in Englewood, NJ, the EMS campus includes multiple technology and science labs, playgrounds, libraries, athletic facilities, nature trails and working gardens.
