Toni Morrison Essay Contest for Young People

• Eva Jones                            St. Paul Lutheran School
• Ava Salter                            Toni Morrison Elementary
• Duy “Minh” Pham             Toni Morrison Elementary
• Savanah Tidmore              Toni Morrison Elementary
• Peyton Haney                     Toni Morrison Elementary
• Caitlin Gardner                   Ranger High Tech Academy
• Jada Martin                         Avon Middle School
• Maria Bak                             Amherst Junior High
• Abigail  Dudek                     General Johnnie Wilson
• Ezra Jones                            St. Paul Lutheran School
• Alexia Nwankwo                 Avon High School
• Makayla Dotson                  Clearview High School
• Ramaya Lee-Mosely           Elyria High School
• Jayleen Chatelin                  Marion L. Steele High School
• Kendall Bott                          Marion L. Steele High School
• Sereena Sperry                    Lake Ridge Academy
• Vera Menafee                       Oberlin College

I define myself as a daughter, sister, and a respectful person.

I will not be defined by what others think of me.

Throughout every high schooler’s life, a difficult decision comes up in their senior year.

Will you be attending college? And if so, which college will you attend?

These are obviously deeply meaningful questions for every individual; the answers will define your future over the next few years, if not the rest of your life, and should be taken seriously.

Self-esteem can make or break a person. Since we are all unique, we need to value ourselves and others. This is part of the diversity that makes up our nation and world.

I found people that like me for me, not the clothes that I wear. And when I have doubts about my worth, I know that I can go to them. They support me, just as I support them.

I will be defined by my actions. How I treat people. Speak to people. I want people to see me for who I am.

We can argue that how we identify doesn’t matter and that we are all the same as human beings.

I say that our intersecting identities are the most important things that make us unique.

I want people to see me in a good, creative, and kind way. As well as a person with good leadership and manners.

Since I’m studying Political Science in school, keeping up with current events is pretty important. Occasionally, a story from the obituaries will catch my eye, and I’ll read a few different stories recounting people’s lives.

When asked who I am, I could easily say: a low-income, first generation college student striving for success, or an Afro-Native woman from Tulsa, Oklahoma dedicated to seeking justice for her people.

Of course, these are both just surface level things. But when I really think about who am I sometimes I think about how I am a caregiver because all too young, Black girls are taught to grow up and take care of everyone before themselves.

I identify myself as a smart kid, son, a brave kid and a football player. I will be defined by the way I talk to people and how I do things. I won’t be defined by what others say I am.

In general, I am a very considerate person of animals and people. I want people to think of me as a person they could talk to about anything.

Also, someone that will listen and be considerate of their feelings.

I am a word. My definition is my meaning. My definition is the purpose I serve in the sentence. The sentence is the life of each person who has ever borne witness to my existence.

“Who is the author of all these sentences then?”

Each student received a Toni Morrison book along with their award.