NYLC Students Participate in a Statewide Essay Contest

New York Language Center recently held an essay contest at our Midtown, Upper West Side, and Jackson Heights branches. Students in the  High Intermediate, Advanced, and Post-Advanced classes were invited and encouraged to participate. The topic was on technology and essays were supposed to comment on the following quote:

"Technology gives us power, but it does not and cannot tell us how to use that power. Thanks to technology, we can instantly communicate across the world, but it still doesn't help us know what to say." Jonathan Sacks (1984-present)


On May 15th, 2015, the winners were announced and awarded with certificates and gift cards. The remaining contestants, who gathered together with their classmates to cheer on the winners, did not expect to be rewarded, as well, for their creative efforts. In the end, each and every student who submitted an essay received a gift card. Moreover, each essay will compete in an essay contest for all ESL students across New York State this coming summer! We wish our students the best of luck!!!

Scroll down for a list of the winners. 

Here are the winners and their essays:

Post Advanced category:

Winner: Yuki Hirasaki - Branch: Jackson Heights; Teacher: Sarah Hesler

2nd place: Oleksandr Trokoz - Branch: Jackson Heights; Teacher: Sarah Hesler

3rd place: Manuel Uzhca - Branch: Jackson Heights; Teacher: Sarah Hesler

Advanced category:

Winner: Mariya Vanchugova - Branch: Upper West Side: Teacher Melinda Hummel

2nd place: Paula Sanchez - Branch: Jackson Heights; Teacher: Benjamin Levy

3rd place: Elisa Casagrande - Branch: Jackson Heights; Teacher: Benjamin Levy

High Intermediate category:

Winner: Andrea Gonzalez - Branch: Jackson Heights; Teacher: Samantha Lee

2nd place: Destinee Christella - Branch: Jackson Heights; Teacher: Samantha Lee

3rd place: Siripun Wongsawan - Branch: Jackson Heights; Teacher: Samantha Lee

Written by: Anna M. Necakov