Apple Valley Middle School celebrates Hernandez-Montero's essay victory
HENDERSONVILLE - Ever since Apple Valley Middle School eighth grader Christopher Hernandez-Montero won a national essay contest, he's become quite the celebrity, his English teacher, Jennifer Summers, said.
Summers, who teaches Honors Language Arts for grades 6-7 and High School English I for eighth grade, said she will encourage her students to enter writing contests, but students must do so on their on time. When she learned about the Optimum Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest, she shared it with her students, and Hernandez-Montero was interested.
"I encouraged him to go for it, promising to help him make sure he followed the guidelines for writing and submission," Summers said. "He began working on his essay almost immediately. He sought out feedback from his peers and encouragement and advice from his mentors, made revisions and then I helped him submit it online. One of the ways I differentiate for my students is to offer them opportunities for enrichment. Writing contests are one of these opportunities. I post the information in my Google Classroom and introduce the contests to my students briefly in class."
Optimum, with co-sponsor TelevisaUnivision, had the contest for Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated each year from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Optimum invited students across the company’s 21-state footprint to share in 500 words or less a person or group of Hispanic heritage who have kept their community connected to one another, to their culture or to those outside their community. Hernandez-Montero decided to write about the local group Hola Carolina, which, according to its website, is a grassroots organization that explores and gives a critical voice to the diversity of its community.
Below is an excerpt from his essay:
"In our city, while we have a lot of Hispanic and Latin roots, not many people spread and share ideas, foods, or tangible items. There is a special community group called 'Hola Carolina' which helps connect Hispanic people from various countries across the Western North Carolina region. This organization stands out among others because they help plan events, raise money, and help spread diverse ideas."
Out of thousands of entries, his essay was one of four grand-prize winners (two from middle school and two from high school) from across the nation, and his prize was a $3,000 scholarship. Summers was informed just before school was going to be let out prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, she said.
More:Apple Valley Middle student one of four grand prize winners in national contest
"On the morning before our Thanksgiving break began, Mrs. (Lisa) Stokes, Market Engagement Manager for Optimum, reached me by phone at Apple Valley to deliver the news that Christopher was one of two middle school grand-prize winners in the country. I was so proud and excited that I could barely contain myself," she said.
She asked his homeroom teacher to send him to her classroom so she could share the news with him.
"He was very surprised. Since then, Christopher has become like a local celebrity, having been recognized in a virtual awards broadcast presented by Optimum and TelevisiaUnivision and later presented with a certificate by our superintendent at the school board meeting. He has become quite the resource and role model for my other students who would love to follow in his footsteps and win some scholarship money of their own," Summers said.
On Jan. 27 at Apple Valley Middle School, with more than 200 of his fellow classmates there to celebrate, Hernandez-Montero was presented the jumbo check and a backpack full of supplies. On stage with him were Summers, Hendersonville City Council's Lyndsey Simpson and Optimum's Stokes.
In addition to being an accomplished student and now an award-winning writer, Hernandez-Montero is also a talented flautist, having earned second chair in this year's All-District Band, Summers said.
"Christopher is one of the hardest working students I have had the privilege to teach in my 23-year career. He does not settle for less than his best in anything that he does. Many people make the incorrect assumption that because one is an honor student, everything comes easily. Christopher is the perfect example of a student who achieves because he works hard, not because everything comes naturally," Summers said. "It would be remiss of me not to share that Christopher is also one of the kindest, most thoughtful students I have ever taught as well. This award could not have been presented to a more deserving student."
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Apple Valley Middle School celebrates Hernandez-Montero's essay victory
