Nicole Orrego Salinas put her own spin on her entry into this year’s New York State PTA Reflections contest. The Woodhull Intermediate School fifth grader won one of the top awards in the literature category in the Suffolk region.
The Woodhull PTA encouraged all students to participate in the annual contest. “All Woodhull students were given the opportunity to submit their work for the contest,” Principal Scott Oshrin said. “We had over 200 entries. Thank you to the PTA for organizing the activity.”
This year’s statewide theme is “I will change the world by . . . .” Students could submit entries dance, film, literature, music, photography and visual arts categories.
Ms. Salinas is a thoughtful young woman who is well regarded by her classmates and teachers. The school’s fourth, fifth and sixth graders created so many high quality entries for this year’s contest.
Ms. Salinas’ award winning poem is reproduced here:
I know I may not be able to change the world
but what I can do is change myself.
I can recycle.
I can plant trees.
I can turn off the lights when I’m not using it.
I can be nice, respectful, happy and kind.
I can save electricity when I don’t need it.
I can spread positivity and love for others.
But I can’t change everyone,
but I can change some, and that’s enough.
“I am so proud of Nicole and all of our amazing Woodhull students,” Mr. Oshrin said.