Future leaders: Barbara Bush Foundation awards Lee, Collier winners of student essay contest

Ainsley Carmignani, a third grader at Tommie Barfield Elementary School in Collier County, could barely see above the podium in the Calusa Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa Friday morning, but she received thunderous applause for her essay that called for kindness.

Bianka Munoz, a fourth-grade student at Corkscrew Elementary School, took the stage next, describing how she planned to fight bullying in her role as vice president of her student council.

The two students were among nine winners of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy’s student essay contest.

The nine young writers, representing schools in Lee and Collier Counties, were recognized Friday morning at a kick-off breakfast for the foundation’s Florida Celebration of Reading event.

The contest, which is open to third-grade through fifth-grade students from Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties, asked young writers this year to think about an issue they care about — whether in their school, local communities or throughout the world — and consider how they can use their strengths to create positive change.

Three winners were selected from each grade level. 

Sabine Rivera, a fifth-grade student from Lely Elementary School, wrote about being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in January 2017.

She read her essay out loud in front of the audience Friday morning, telling the crowd about how she wanted to raise money and awareness to help children with Type 1 diabetes who cannot afford the medicine they need.

“It was kind of exhilarating and scary, but when I got up there, I was like, 'This is cool,'” Rivera, 11, said of standing in front of the audience.

Rivera said she knew she had an important message to share.

“They don’t talk about this,” Rivera said. “I want people to know that people are actually living with this, and we’re stronger than we look.”

Pamela Rivera, Sabine’s mother, said she was blown away by her daughter and the winning essay.

"Even though it was scary, she has embraced it and has run with it," Pamela Rivera said of her daughter's diagnosis. "I couldn't be more proud."

Third-grader Hunter Anderson, a student at Three Oaks Elementary School, wrote about his plans for a mobile library.

“It should go around the world so people can start reading more,” Anderson, 8, said.

The Lee County student said he reads every day, and his favorite are adventure books.

“I was really proud,” said Kimberly Anderson, Hunter’s mom, about watching her son be recognized for his essay. “He worked really hard. This was all his idea.”

During the program, the young writers and their families heard from Tom Grady, a member of the Florida Board of Education who hosted the breakfast, and watched a video message from Florida First Lady Ann Scott.

Jeb Bush, Jr., son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, also attended the breakfast.

Christina Diaz Gonzalez, an acclaimed children’s author, spoke to the students and families. She encouraged the audience to pursue their dreams.

“It’s never too late to follow that dream, make it part of your life, incorporate it into who you are and what you want to be,” Gonzalez said.

2018 Florida Celebration of Reading Student Essay Contest Winners

Via the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

Ansley Carmignani, 3rd grade, Tommie Barfield Elementary School

Hunter Anderson, 3rd grade, Three Oaks Elementary School

Addalynn Armantrout, 3rd grade, Big Cypress Elementary School

Bianka Munoz, 4th grade, Corkscrew Elementary School

Helena Willhite, 4th grade, Bonita Springs Charter School

Maya Buzzetta, 4th grade, Laurel Oak Elementary School

Sabine Rivera, 5th grade, Lely Elementary School

Annalisa Benedito, 5th grade, Sea Gate Elementary School

SophiaSalica, 5th grade, Laurel Oak Elementary School