Students Honor Everyday Heroes in America & Me Essay Contest

Milan Middle School students found heroes not in comic books or movies, but in the people who shape their lives. 

Sophia McGettigan won first place in the annual America & Me Essay Contest for her essay about her mother, Anna McGettigan. After looking up a dictionary definition of hero as someone admired for courage, Sophia McGettigan found that description incomplete. Instead, she found a hero in her mom, who overcame a challenging childhood to become someone who supports her kids, values their individuality and volunteers to teach and support students in the community.

“There is more to a hero than just courage,” Sophia McGettigan wrote. “There is compassion, empathy, and overall, love. My hero possesses all of these qualities and many more. She is a strong and inspirational woman. Who is this hero? No, it’s not Wonder Woman, Black Widow, or even Captain Marvel. My hero is my mom.”

Sophia McGettigan’s name engraved on a plaque will hang near the main office at Milan Middle School. Her essay also advanced to the state competition.

The contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, is open to eighth grade students.

Bridget Lambert earned second place for her essay about robotics coach Doña Anna Arroyo, who is retiring this year after 40 years as a teacher.

A Spanish teacher at Milan Middle School, Arroyo also led the robotics program.

Lambert praised Arroyo for creating a student-led environment where students took on difficult challenges and for serving as an example of someone who persevered through adversity.

“Doña has not had a perfect life,” Lambert wrote. “She tells us how she has endured poverty, racism, and hardship. More than enduring, she has risen above it. As a Puerto Rican single mother, Doña Arroyo obtained a full scholarship to Columbia University and earned her PhD in psychology. She has taught elementary students to college students.”

Agne Zukovskyte placed third for her essay about Mrs. Liz Pinkoswki, her first grade teacher at Paddock Elementary. Zukovskyte credited Pinkowski with helping her navigate her first year in the United States while learning English.

“Throughout my year in first grade, most of the kids were spelling words correctly and pronouncing words just right, and I was learning how to pronounce them,” Zukovskyte said. “I had to spend extra time with Mrs. Pinkowski, but I did not mind. She was patient with me and corrected me when I made mistakes. Sometimes I would not know which book to read because I did not understand the title. However, Mrs. Pinkowski always recommended books; some were meant to challenge me, some were not. There were times when I did not know what to write for my stories, but Mrs. Pinkowski would draw me a picture, and I had to put it in words. That is how we would work together.”

Jacey Carner, a Farm Bureau agent based out of Dundee, facilitated the contest and Milan Middle School 8^th grade English teacher Pam Smaby presented the awards at a Spirit Assembly.