Imagine Schools 18th Annual National Character Essay Contest came to a successful conclusion on April 11, 2024. We are proud of the many young Imagine Schools’ talented writers that participated in this year’s contest.
With 46 schools participating (96%), and 202 entries, a panel of 17 judges read and were inspired by essays that demonstrated an understanding of complex maxims related to this year’s theme of Courage.
The National Character Essay Contest is just one way that we integrate character and academics in purposeful and meaningful ways at Imagine Schools. We are proud of all our students who committed and persevered in completing essays for this important initiative.
All national essay contest winners listed below will receive the following awards to celebrate their achievements:
| 1st Place | Personalized trophy, a $50 Amazon gift card and an award certificate |
| 2nd Place | $25 Amazon gift card and an award certificate |
| 3rd Place | $25 Amazon gift card and an award certificate |
| Honorable Mention | $15 Amazon gift card and an award certificate |
Enjoy this video with notable quotes from our talented young writers.
2024 National Character Essay Contest Winners
Third Grade
1st Place: Blake McKeone –Imagine Broward (FL)
2nd Place: Theodore Ochoco – Imagine Mountain View (NV)
3rd Place: Eliza Quiroz –Imagine Avondale (AZ)
Honorable Mention: Gideon Mitchell – Imagine North Port Elementary (FL)
Honorable Mention: Ishanvi Paluri – Imagine Lone Star (TX)
Honorable Mention: Za’niyah Range – Imagine Coolidge Elementary (AZ)
Fourth Grade
1st Place: Julius Johnson – Imagine Bell Canyon (AZ)
2nd Place: Gescenan Collie – Imagine Broward (FL)
3rd Place: Alexa Soriano – Imagine Mountain View (NV)
Honorable Mention: Anabelle Cintron – Imagine Plantation (FL)
Honorable Mention: Vianney Aguirre – Imagine Desert West Elementary (AZ)
Fifth Grade
1st Place: Mikay’la Ervin – Imagine Leeland (MD)
2ndPlace: Mai Ja Nhkum – Imagine Cortez Park (AZ)
3rd Place: Melissa Vargas – Imagine Camelback (AZ)
Honorable Mention: Nia McKnight – Imagine Morningside (MD)
Honorable Mention: Jackson Mathews – Imagine South Lake (FL)
Honorable Mention: Ehan Moazzam – Imagine Town Center (FL)
Sixth Grade
1st Place: Kaziah Christian – Imagine Lakewood Ranch (FL)
2nd Place: Amare Smith – Imagine Groveport (OH)
3rd Place: Carter Pietragallo – Imagine Broward (FL)
Honorable Mention: Ryan Gomez – Imagine Weston (FL)
Honorable Mention: Earlleen Zephrin – Imagine West Melbourne (FL)
Honorable Mention: Yesenia Lobos-Anderson – Imagine Buckeye (AZ)
Seventh Grade
1st Place: Javier Alvarado – Imagine Riverside Coachella (CA)
2nd Place: Thanisha Fable – Imagine Chancellor (FL)
3rd Place: Charlie Tripoli – Imagine Weston (FL)
Honorable Mention: Cora Welch – Imagine Buckeye (AZ)
Honorable Mention: Rashmi Karki – Imagine Columbus Primary (OH)
Eighth Grade
1st Place: Sofia Challacombe – Imagine South Vero (FL)
2nd Place: Raul Garza – Imagine Buckeye (AZ)
3rd Place: Danytza Coronado Ruiz – Imagine Desert West Middle (AZ)
Honorable Mention: Colton Schilaty – Imagine Land O’Lakes (FL)
Honorable Mention: Jasmin Gutierrez – Imagine Riverside Coachella (CA)
Honorable Mention: Kylee Sherman – Imagine Kissimmee (FL)
High School
1st Place: Alyssa Towers – Imagine North Port Upper School (FL)
2nd Place: Megan Suniga – Imagine Prep Superstition (AZ)
3rd Place: Shayla Davis – Imagine Prep Coolidge (AZ)
Honorable Mention: Lexi Schimpff – Imagine Prep Superstition (AZ)