WEST ORANGE, NJ — Seniors in the West Orange High School Advancement Via Individual Determination program swept the Essex County Bar Association Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ annual Disability Awareness Essay Contest.
Wendy Deer and Nina Peckman of the ECBA visited West Orange High School on June 9 to present awards for first, second and third place, along with two honorable mention awards. Twelve entries were submitted from the senior AVID class and were selected from 300 essays county-wide.
Winners were: Rickey Close in first place; Chyna Chitty in second place; Anastasia Adams in third place; and David Noelvil and Femi Ojo with honorable mentions.
The AVID program is a college-readiness program designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in college. Special emphasis is placed on growing writing, critical thinking, teamwork, organization and reading skills.
“Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Essay Contest,” business education teacher Anne Hanson said in a press release.