Norwalk students shine in state essay contest

HARTFORD--Surrounded by fifth graders, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz last month presented awards to the winners of the Secretary of the State's 16th Annual Essay Contest, including Trevor Zezima and Joshua Tilton, who attend Norwalk schools. More than 1,000 fifth graders from across Connecticut submitted essays this year. Students were asked to write about which person in Connecticut history they admired the most and why.

Five winning essays were selected from each of Connecticut's five congressional districts. "It is my hope that through this essay contest, students will learn about Connecticut's most prominent figures and be inspired one day to achieve similar success," said Bysiewicz.

Each set of winning essays consisted of a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner, along with two students who received honorable mention. Every student honored at the event received a $25 gift certificate from Borders bookstore.

In Congressional District 4 the winners were:

1st Place

Trevor Zezima, All Saints Catholic School, Norwalk

2nd Place

Jenny Pehota, Burr Elementary School, Fairfield

3rd Place

Joshua Tilton, Naramake Elementary School, Norwalk

Below is Zezima's winning essay:

The person in Connecticut history I admire most is Paul Newman for his huge humanitarian efforts and contributions to charities in Connecticut and worldwide. He is considered to be one of the biggest philanthropists of this century. Paul is a person who had dedicated his life to increase the well being of humankind, with charitable aid and donations. He had created an institution, empire, and franchise called "Newman's Own".

Paul Newman was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio on January 26th 1925. He was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and auto-racing enthusiast. He was also a devoted family man married to his wife, Joanne Woodward, for 50 years. In 1958 they both came to Westport, Connecticut to make a movie and decided to make it their permanent home. Paul although very famous was a private person, he picked a 200-year-old farmhouse in Connecticut over the bright lights, and celebrity glamour of Hollywood. He became the 8th member of the Connecticut Hall of Fame that honors current and former state residents who distinguish themselves in their profession and perform outstanding civic service. He died on September 26, 2008 at the age of 83 in Westport, Connecticut.

As long time resident of Connecticut he became an active political supporter, and contributor to his good friend Connecticut's Senator Chris Dodd. Paul made a difference in Connecticut communities by helping to preserve and conserve open spaces such as the Trout Brook Valley in Weston and Easton. Paul donated $35,000 to the Westport Historical Society, for its mission of preserving, presenting, and celebrating the history of Westport. He also supported the Westport Country Playhouse's Campaign to renovate the historic theatre, and its annual fund. He was a partner to the "Dressing Room" a restaurant in Westport Connecticut specializing in locally grown and raised food, along with a farmers market with the belief that local grown food could help build the community. Paul also donated to The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra in Norwalk Connecticut to support the symphony's education and outreach programming.

In 1982 he created "Newman's Own" in Connecticut, a food line with over 100 varieties of food and beverages. Newman's Own has contributed more than 250 million of its proceeds to local, state, and worldwide charities. In 1988 Paul Newman founded "The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp" in Ashford, Connecticut, a nonprofit camp serving over 15,000 children and their families annually who are coping with cancer and other serious illnesses and conditions. All of the Camp's services are provided free of charge.

The reason I admire Paul Newman is not because of his acting career and numerous awards, although entertaining and exciting. I admire him most for what he decided to do with his presence, and money he had gained from his trade. He turned his fame into something much more fulfilling, respectable, and satisfying. There are millions of people today benefiting because of his dedication. Whenever I see his products in Stew Leonard's and local stores, I am impressed and proud to see how much he had done for our community in Connecticut and worldwide.