2024 National Character Essay Contest Winners Announced

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:

Enjoy this video with notable quotes from our talented young writers.

2024 National Character Essay Contest Winners

Third Grade

1^st  Place:  Blake McKeone –Imagine Broward (FL)

2^nd Place:   Theodore Ochoco – Imagine Mountain View (NV)

3^rd 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

1^st Place:   Julius Johnson – Imagine Bell Canyon (AZ)

2^nd Place:  Gescenan Collie – Imagine Broward (FL)

3^rd 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

1^st Place:   Mikay’la Ervin – Imagine Leeland (MD)

2^ndPlace:   Mai Ja Nhkum – Imagine Cortez Park (AZ)

3^rd 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

1^st Place:   Kaziah Christian – Imagine Lakewood Ranch (FL)

2^nd Place:  Amare Smith – Imagine Groveport (OH)

3^rd 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

1^st Place:   Javier Alvarado – Imagine Riverside Coachella (CA)

2^nd Place: Thanisha Fable – Imagine Chancellor (FL)

3^rd Place:   Charlie Tripoli – Imagine Weston (FL)

Honorable Mention: Cora Welch – Imagine Buckeye (AZ)

Honorable Mention: Rashmi Karki – Imagine Columbus Primary (OH)

Eighth Grade

1^st Place:   Sofia Challacombe – Imagine South Vero (FL)

2^nd Place:  Raul Garza – Imagine Buckeye (AZ)

3^rd 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

1^st Place:   Alyssa Towers – Imagine North Port Upper School (FL)

2^nd Place:  Megan Suniga – Imagine Prep Superstition (AZ)

3^rd Place:   Shayla Davis – Imagine Prep Coolidge (AZ)

Honorable Mention: Lexi Schimpff – Imagine Prep Superstition (AZ)