We are happy to announce that Pari Pyreddy a junior at B. Reed Henderson High School in West Chester, PA is this year’s essay contest winner!
The topic for the Sanderson Museum’s 2024 Essay Contest was “I, Too Am History.” Included here is an excerpt from the winning submission written by Pari Pyreddy, a talented junior at B. Reed Henderson High School in West Chester, PA. She is picture below with Linda Banks of the Sanderson Museum and Essay Contest Organizer with her check for $250.
Title: The Quiet Forces of Mentorship in History
Most of history is made up of grand tales about great leaders and conquerors. However, there is another type of narrative, one that is more quiet but just as impactful. It’s not the stories about battles won or lands taken over; it’s the stories of those who quietly and tenaciously work to lift up others. And in this narrative, I have found my place — a place shaped by mentorship, inspirations, and an unshakeable belief in the power of kindness.
When I entered high school, a whole new world opened up before me. But amid all the noise and excitement of teenage dreams and aspirations I discovered my true calling — to be a guide for those who are also navigating through blindness or low vision like me.
Amidst the intricacies of teaching and learning, the most powerful lesson emerged — the transformative power of positivity. Like seeds sown in fertile soil, I nurtured a garden of optimism, where every word I uttered echoed with encouragement and every action radiated with hope, which showcases one of my greatest strengths. For I knew that in a world often marred by adversity a sprinkle of positivity could serve as a beacon of light, guiding even the most weary souls towards the shores of resilience.
My name may never be etched in gold nor heralded with fanfare in the records of history. Yet, in the hearts and minds of those whose lives I’ve touched, my legacy endures — a testament to the transformative power of mentorship, inspired by the timeless words of Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” I, too am history, a brick laid out to contribute to an eternal trail of kindness, resilience, and enduring greatness of humankind.