CEDAR HILL – Louise Gomez, a Cedar Hill Collegiate High School sophomore, won an essay contest hosted by the North Texas district Optimist organization and received a $2,500 scholarship. The Cedar Hill Optimist Club sponsored Louise and honored her at a reception on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the Ninth Grade Center. Fourteen North District of Texas Optimist Clubs sponsored students at the competition.
Before Louise represented the Cedar Hill Optimist Club in the district competition, she won the local contest. More than 130 Cedar Hill students submitted essays on the topic, “How Can I Help My Friends Realize Their Value.” Louise’s essay took first place and a $300 award. Cedar Hill High School student Arisha Harrison won second place and a $200 prize, and Cedar Hill High School student Taylor Berghaus received a $100 prize for third place.
In her essay Louise wrote, “First and foremost, when you find yourself to be the catalyst or supporter of a dejected friend who suffers from low self-esteem, confusion, or lack of ambition, there is a restored sense of humanity and pride that you receive. With that being said, the best way to guide a friend into his or her path of self-awareness is to help them identify their greatest talents and gifts by using honesty, encouragement, and love.”
“It is very exciting. I feel humbled by this honor,” said Louise, who is also the co-secretary of her sophomore class. She plans to go to college and study to be an OB-GYN.
“We are ecstatic that so many Cedar Hill students took part in the local essay contest and one of our students won the district competition,” said Kim Risner, secretary of the Cedar Hill Optimist Club. “Our student essays were grounded in a strong sense of values of family, friends, community and commitment. The Cedar Hill Optimist Club is especially proud that Louise won since the organization was formed just a year ago.”
