Seventh-grader’s essay earns environmental steward prize

Students of 11 teachers from seven Ann Arbor Public Schools participated in the essay contest. From more than 200 entries, a group of 13 finalists was selected by AATA. Their entries were reviewed by a panel of judges from the 826 Michigan organization, which encourages students in the area of creative writing.

Slauson Middle School seventh-grader Jalil Boston (second from left) receives congratulations from his teacher, Teresa Schneider (far right) and his father, Heath Boston, after learning from AATA Manager of Community Relations Mary Stasiak (left) that his essay on environmental stewardship was chosen for top honors in AATA’s recent competition.

Slauson Middle School student Jalil Boston, a seventh-grader in Ms. Teresa Schneider’s class, was awarded a Certificate of Achievement on December 20. Jalil and his class will also receive a trip on an AATA hybrid electric bus to Lansing, Michigan to meet our elected officials.

According to AATA Manager of Community Relations Mary Stasiak, the contest judges felt that Jalil’s essay, “What the future of our environment holds (What does it mean to be an ‘environmental steward’ in my community)”, best exemplified the dual concepts of doing things directly to help the environment and encouraging others to do their part.

The class which entered the most essays, 31, Ms. Priscilla Bates’ seventh-grade class from Forsythe Middle School, will receive a local bus ride on one of AATA’s hybrid electric buses and a pizza party.

Speaking on behalf of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Marketing Director Liz Nowland-Margolis said, “The Ann Arbor Public Schools has had a long supportive relationship with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority in providing bus service to many of the students across the district.

“We were very pleased when that relationship crossed into the classroom giving students the opportunity to express what they believe the environmental future holds for them! It provided a real teachable moment for students to think how they can make a positive impact on protecting our valuable environmental resources.

“The AATA set an example of how public transportation can touch our lives in a variety of ways. I know the classroom teachers appreciated the opportunity to blend the AATA essay contest into the daily science and language arts curriculum. Congratulations to all of the AAPS students who participated and to AATA for bringing this discussion into the classroom.”

Stasiak said that AATA appreciates Margolis’ efforts in coordinating the school district portion of the project, and the teachers and school principals whose participation made the project such a success.

The remaining finalists, who will each receive an AATA certificate, are:

Click here to read Jalil Boston's winning essay.

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