At our meeting on March 24, Coast Union High School English Teacher, Ogo Agbo read the 3rd Place Peace Essay from senior Emily Reed who was unable to attend our meeting. Emily wrote about the journey to find peace after the death of her father.

Patricia Acosta, also a senior, submitted the 2nd Place Essay about finding peace in the outdoors. Patricia will be attending Boston College on a QuestBridge Scholarship.

Declan MacKenzie, a sophomore, received 1st place honors for his essay. Declan was home-schooled in Viet Nam, where his family lived due to his father’s job, until last year when he relocated to Cambria and enrolled in Coast Union. Declan entitled his essay “Interpretations” and came to the conclusion that “we must continue to do our best to strive towards peace, regardless of the challenges and pushback we might face. Whether that means cultivating your own inner peaceful disposition or promoting peace in your community, never give up on hope that one day all of humanity will be able to fully live in and experience a peaceful world”.