Sheepshead Students Win Essay Contest Honoring Inspiring Elderly People

Last week, three students from Sheepshead Bay elementary schools were honored for their award-winning essays recognizing the profound influence of an elderly person in their lives.

The essay contest, run by Sheepshead Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at 2840 Knapp Street, gave neighborhood fourth and fifth-grade students the chance to express their gratitude with the theme “an older person in my life who is special and why,” according to the facility communications director Nini Rubin.

The contest judges included residents from the Sheepshead Bay nursing home facility.

The winners, along with their parents, teachers, and local civic leaders, gathered at SNRC at 2840 Knapp Street for a ceremony on Wednesday, June 14, where the winners got a chance to read their essay publicly and get their certificate and gift card prize.

Hayley Bruno from P.S. 277, Gabrielle Rubin from P.S. 195, and Gabriella Zeygeril, also from P.S. 195 grinned proudly when receiving their awards.

Councilman Alan Maisel, along with representatives from Senator Marty Golden, Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblyman William Colton, Councilman Chaim Deutsch, Community Board 15, the 61st Police Precinct, and others showed up to recognize the talented students.

“Thank you to all today’s winners for taking the time to put your feelings down on paper about inspiring older people in your life,” said Councilman Alan Maisel.

This is the second year SNRC ran the contest for the local schools, among other youth essay contests honoring influential people. The essay contests have a positive effect for elderly residents partly because it gives them the chance to interact with kids, Rubin said.

“Today we celebrate not only the remarkable achievements of these three bright, dedicated students, but also their parents, teachers, and principals,” said Mrs. Olga Lipschitz, who is known as a legendary nursing home administrator and Holocaust survivor. “Through the ongoing support of their communities and families, they will continue to flourish and make us all proud.”