STANISLAUS CONNECTIONS

Working For Peace, Justice, and A Sustainable Environment

2005

A Modesto Peace/Life Center Publication

Peace Essay Winners

2005 Peace Essay Contest

Without belittling the courage with which [people] have died, we should not forget those acts of courage with which [people]... have lived. The stories of past courage... can teach, they can offer hope, they can provide inspiration. But they cannot supply courage itself. For this each must look into his [or her] own soul.

— John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Profiles in Courage

Personal courage is the theme of the 2005 Peace Essay Contest. Each of us is faced with taking unpopular or controversial stands. Practicing listening to one's conscience and acting on one's convictions are important skills for character building.

Sponsored by the Modesto Peace/Life Center, the 19th annual Peace Essay Contest is open to 5th - 12th grade students living or attending school in Stanislaus County.

Awards ceremony March 6, 2005 at Johansen H.S. Auditorium in Modesto

2004 Peace Essay Contest Committee: Margaret Barker, Indira Clark, Pam Franklin, Elaine Gorman, Suzanne Meyer, Deborah Roberts, and Sandy Sample.

And the winners are: Peace Essay Contest 2005

Division I (grades 11 and 12)

First Place: Dmitra Bird, Johansen
Second Place: Anca Chhay, Johansen
Third Place: Eve Meyer, Johansen
Honorable Mentions: Kalford Chhay, Jennaca Guldenpennig, & Meredith Zweifel, Johansen
Finalists: Anne Marie H. Bergthold, Oakdale Charter High; William Tuttle, Beyer; and Kyle Campiotti, Alana Cayabyab, Faith Chihil, Janet Del Real, Lindsey Dillion, Gaby Gilmore, Christina Hackett, Robin Reidl, Denise Reyes, Jerry Vin, Cynthia Wootan, and Andrew Zellman,
**School Winners: William Tuttle, Beyer; Dmitra Bird, Johansen High School; and Erika Fernández, Riverbank High School.

Division II (grades 9 and 10)

First Place: Anthony Nuñez, Johansen
Second Place: Kayla Brown, Johansen
Third Place: Carly Koester, Johansen
Honorable Mentions: Krystle Pellegrino, Riverbank; Katie Gray and Andrew Shovitz; Johansen
Finalists: Doug Amato, Chrtistina Bené, Logan Coats, Rafael Delgadillo, Arianna Gonzales, Camille Hackett, Jonathan Homrighausen, Mattie King, Tyler Love, Angelra Modueno, Joseph Medina, Robert Moncrief, Breanna Reed, and Encarnasio Santara, Johansen.
**School Winners: Anthony Nuñez, Johansen, and Krystle Pellegrino, Riverbank.

Division III (grades 7 and 8)

First Place: Amelia Hund, La Loma
Second Place: Jessica Bell, La Loma
Third Place: Alexandria Joseph, Teel
Honorable Mentions: Maggie Sniffen, Tim Stuart, and Kevin Sutherland, La Loma Finalists: Yvette Aghassi, Nora Cassidy, Nick Cash, Gianni DeAngelis, Brianna Ehrler, Tyler Gates, Aaron Gunderson, Matt Vergara, and Brandon Webb, La Loma: Kelly Cearley, Jessica Jones, and Julie Mante, Roosevelt; Raymond Sanchez, Glick; and Sasha Sinkevich, Knights Ferry.
**School Winners: Raymond Sanchez, Glick; Sasha Sinkevich, Knights Ferry; Amelia Hund, La Loma; Kelly Cearley, Roosevelt; and Alexandria Joseph, Teel.

Division IV (grades 5 and 6)

First Place: Tommy Poplasky, Fremont Open Plan
Second Place: Nicole Peters, Fremont Open Plan
Third Place: Rachel Pearre, Somerset
Honorable Mentions: Ashley Cearley and Courtney Nelson, Fremont Open Plan; and Jose Garcia, Bret Harte.
Finalists: Sua Avila-Ramirez, Paul Bilodeau, Kevin Costa, Lily Monson, Whitney Russell-Holcomb, David VanSant, and Megan Wade, Fremont Open Plan; Brooke Burton and Rosie Lepe, Westport; Brandon Clark, Walter Brown; Lindsey Miller, Somerset; Lily Radanovich, Hickman Charter School; Josh Rau and Babylonia Shamoon, Orchard. Thank
**School Winners: Jose Garcia, Bret Harte; Tommy Poplasky, Fremont Open Plan; Babylonia Shamoon, Orchard; Rachel Pearre, Somerset; Brandon Clark, Walter Brown; and Brooke Burton, Westport.

**These schools submitted ten or more essays in this division and were awarded a School Winner.

Thank you to our judges and screeners: Brad Barker, Jim Beggs, Jerry Budin, Monique Capp, Peggy Casteneda, Steve Collins, Tina Driskill, Simeon Franklin, Mara Fagin, Dorothy Griggs, Nancy Griggs, Richard Harvey, Harriet Hill, Judy Kropp, Barbara Manrique, Russ Matteson, Andrea McGhee, Suzanne Meyer, Mike Monson, Susan Novak, Kaye Osborne, Myrtle Osner, Sandy Sample, Linda Scheller, Ken Schroeder, Shelly Scribner, Tim Smart, Nancy Smith, Ruth Ann Spencer, Judy Sly, Julie TenBrink, Rachel Tyson, Anita Young, and Martin Zonligt.

A project of the Modesto Peace/Life Center 720-13th Street, Suite D - P. O. Box 134, Modesto, California 95354-0134 - 529-5750 - peaceessay@juno.com. Co-sponsored by the Modesto Junior College Literature and Language Arts Department  

ACTION: Tax-deductible donations may be made to the Modesto Peace/Life Center, designated to the Peace Essay Contest.

First Place Division II (grades 9 and 10)

Division II: First Place

Courage
By ANTHONY NUNEZ
Johansen High School, Mrs. di Cristina

She had just started her freshman year in high school. “Amy”’ recalls how excited she was to start life as a high school student. Many of her friends followed to the same high school. In a way, it seemed like an extension of junior high. Amy was always a popular girl because she was pretty and very smart. One Friday night, Amy and some of her friends went to see the high school’s football team play their rival team. She remembers it was a very exciting game. After the game, she had the opportunity to meet some of the football players. “Eric” seemed to stand out the most. She had seen Eric around junior high. Now in high school, Eric seemed much cuter and taller up close. They started talking about music and hobbies, and found out they were in the same 3rd period science class. Amy recalls that they really didn’t seem to have much in common except that they liked some of the same music. However, there was something about Eric that kept Amy AWN. Besides his good looks and being somewhat popular, Eric had a sarcastic sense of humor and was also a good listener. However, he was kind of a quiet person when he was around Amy. In spite of some differences, they started a dating relationship. Things were going well, until one night after winning a football game, Eric and some friends celebrated their victory by drinking beer at one of the player’s home. Amy and her friends arrived to the house. She noticed Eric was already drunk because he was talking a lot and also loudly, quite the opposite of what she was used to. Amy thought she better take Eric home because there was no way she was going to let him drive. Eric wanted to stay, but Amy insisted on giving him a ride home. She somehow convinced Eric to go to the car with her. She figured once she was near her car, she would convince him to get in so she could take him home. Once at the car, however, Eric started getting angry with Amy. He started yelling at her because she had embarrassed him in front of his team mates. He also began insulting her. Amy doesn’t talk about the specific insults of that night. What she does remember is that he somehow became so angry that he began hitting her on the side of her head and then kicked in her head light. After that, Eric got into her car and demanded to be taken home. Amy was not only crying, but she was very confused as to what just happened. She was afraid to get into her car with Eric, but she was more afraid to say “no” to him. She obeyed and drove him home. Once they arrived to his home, Eric got out of the car and slammed the door. He said nothing to Amy. Luckily Amy’s parents weren’t home yet when she got to her house. She went straight to her bathroom to wash her face. She could see any bruises, but the side of her head just hurt every time she touched it. She couldn’t believe what she had just been through. The whole weekend she stayed home and spoke to no one. She knew what had happened was not right, but who could she tell’? No one would believe her. When she saw Eric at school the following school day, he apologized to her. He blamed it on the alcohol and said that he never meant to hit her. He promised he wouldn’t do it again. Amy forgave him and they continued dating. About a month went by before Amy found herself in the same situation. Eric had been drinking again. Then there were more situations. Not only was she hurt physically, but also emotionally. After a while, Amy came to the conclusion that she preferred getting hit as opposed being emotionally abused because physical pain only lasted a few days. Emotional abuse still hurts.

One day Amy couldn’t take it anymore. She decided to call the police after the last incident to report the abuse. She knew that as soon as Eric’s friends found out, there would be consequences for her. After Eric was arrested his family posted bail. Amy in the meantime had gotten a restraining order against Eric. School was very difficult because Amy was determined that she was not going to be scared of Eric anymore Amy’s friends stopped talking to her during this time. A few of them, thought Eric was so nice he couldn’t possibly have done the things Amy had accused him of. Amy felt alone. Afterwards, things were never quite the same at school, and Amy’s parents decided to transfer her to another high school.

As I listened to Amy tell her story, I couldn’t help but think, “How did such a smart and pretty girl ever get caught up in such a mess?” According to Amy, her mother to this day asks her the same question. Amy said that getting caught up in an abusive relationship has nothing to do with whether you are smart or dumb. It can happen to anyone. The fact that Amy kept believing Eric’s apologies doesn’t make her dumb in my opinion. It shows that Amy has a good heart because she was willing to forgive. I know Amy did the right thing in finally calling the police. No one should have to feel afraid of anyone, especially when it is someone you really like or love.

If I were in Amy’s shoes, I would have done the same thing. I can’t say I would have called the police sooner because I too would have forgiven the person who lad hurt me. I was disappointed in Amy’s friends because they turned their back on her when she needed them the most.

After listening to what Amy went through, I know that there are more people like Amy out there. Some, perhaps, in worse situations. I strongly believe that a lesson to learn from this situation is that schools, especially high schools, should bring more awareness on violence in dating relationships. Just like we are taught about the dangers of drugs and drinking, it should be taken one step further to talk about the consequences to others especially in dating relationships. I feel this is a problem that should have some attention brought to it. Abusive dating relationships turn into abusive marriage relationships especially when there is alcohol or drugs involved. I feel school officials should consider bringing in guest speakers from local community agencies that deal with domestic violence, and emphasize that it starts with violence in dating relationships, Just like Amy’s.

Today, Amy is happily married and works as a volunteer against domestic violence. She helps council other women who have been victims of abuse. Amy kind of calls this “her therapy.” She finds it very helpful to her and to others. Just like John F. Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage, Amy demonstrated a lot of courage when she had to continue to go to school and face Eric and his friends. She turned her fear and isolation into her strength. She is today the hope for others like her. Amy knows she cannot lead the victims by the hand, but she can inspire them enough so that each victim can look into her own soul for the strength to go on.

Division I: First Place Johansen High School
Mrs. di Cristina

A Family Tradition

By DMITRA BIRD

As a child, I was spoon-fed stories. Heroes, paper bag princesses, monsters, Liza Lou, Berlioz the Bear, and even characters of Poe danced across my ceiling as I lay in my bed and listened to my mother’s voice. Those stories have helped to form me into the person I am. Yet, even more than these fantasies, the very real stories of my family have influenced the way I have lived my life thus far. On my mother’s side I heard tales of immigration, intellectual feats at Harvard and Bard, artistic genius and the insanity that accompanies it, and social activism. On my father’s side, the stories were those of adventure, hard work, and improvisational travel. None of these affected me more than the tales of my Grandmother Eleanora.

When my mother’s father met Ellie, she was in the middle of a park, standing on a soap box. Nobody knows what she spoke of, for not even her husband can remember. What he does remember is that, as she exhorted passers‑by to do something‑or‑other, not one of them stopped to listen. This did not perturb her, and she spoke even more vehemently. My grandfather, impressed by her passion, stopped to listen (and to admire the shapely legs that I would later inherit). This simple story was told to me over and over, and the idea that a person should publicly display his or her beliefs has stayed with me.

My grandparents led and participated in anti‑war protests. Even so, during World War Two, my grandmother found herself working in a factory for war materials. There she met Hulking Harry. He was the stereotypical “fat mechanic” character. He was big, hairy, loud, rude, and sexist. It was this last trait that Eleanora had trouble with. Every day, as she listened to her name being changed to “Sweetcakes” or “Honey,” she felt helpless against the rump slapping and other degrading gestures. One day, she decided she’d had enough. When Harry reached out to pinch her enticing rear end, she whirled around, wrench in hand, and came down in full force upon the offending arm. Hulking Harry withdrew, stunned. Mouth agape, he grabbed her wrist and led her out to the other workers. He must have learned a lesson, for Eleanora spent the rest of her day being dragged around the factory like a science fair display as Harry gasped in amazement, “She hit me.”

Ellie might not have changed the face of the planet. She may never be famous. But her actions have changed my life. She was an artist, a leader, a mother, a wife, an activist. She led campaigns for the Socialist Party. She pushed for women’s rights. She protested war and worldly injustices. No matter what the cost, she stood up for what she believed in. That quality is a virtue I have always valued.

Though I have never given speeches in public parks, I, too, have found ways to act on my beliefs. My soapbox is dance. When high school began, I found a passion for choreography. Since then, I have choreographed dances about abortion, war, hate crimes, eating disorders, environmental destruction, the genocide in Sudan, and how society deals with (or doesn’t deal with) depression. My hope is that dancers and audience members alike will be moved by my messages and that, somehow, what I say in dance can spark change in the world.

Off the stage, I have had other opportunities to stand up for my beliefs in the face of opposition. I am a feminist, and have held lengthy arguments with a certain math teacher who, when I was a freshman, told me that the last thing I should be was a feminist. I have defended socialism against ignorant capitalists who, upon hearing the words “each according to his need,” simply visualize a barren and impoverished U.S.S.R. I recently participated in a debate in speech class over whether or not the U.N. should take action in Sudan and, if I may say so, rocked the opposing side out of their shoes. In fact, I’m running a marathon to raise money for aid organizations in Sudan. I am a vegan (the first novel I read was Charlotte’s Web), and a proud tree‑hugger (no, really‑my freshman yearbook sports a picture of me hugging a young sapling). I have marched against hate crimes. Some may say I’m a feminazi clomping loudly and obtrusively about in my storm‑trooper boots, but I like to think that I am simply following in my grandmother’s footsteps.