By: CA Staff Writer | July 22, 2024
Clarksdale, MS — The excitement was palpable as Tek and Beyond & Ready-To-Read hosted their annual back-to-school giveaway event, providing much-needed school supplies, computers, and scholarships to deserving students. This year’s event was marked by a special highlight: a student essay competition, which offered laptops as prizes to the most impressive young writers.
Four talented students were chosen as the essay contest winners, each earning a new laptop for their outstanding work. The winners were Christen Turner, Tacaya Wilson, Journee Carr, and Zyon Hampton. These students demonstrated remarkable dedication to their education and aspirations for the future. Here is a glimpse of their inspiring essays:
Christen Turner – 10th Grade, Coahoma County Jr./Sr. High School
“Hi, my name is Christen Turner. I am a 15-year-old sophomore attending Coahoma County Jr./Sr. High School. I have always been a scholar, receiving all A’s and sometimes one B. I have already taken the ACT three times, with my highest score being a 19 and my goal being a 30. I want to attend The University of Mississippi and major in Business Administration. My sophomore year, I want to take U.S. History and end the year with all A’s. I have not always enjoyed reading nonfiction, even though English is my favorite subject. I realized a while back in elementary school that I needed to read more nonfiction to keep my level 5. Ever since then, I’ve been reading nonstop. Math and Algebra have never been my strong spots, so when it came to nonfiction reading and math, I’ve learned that I’m going to have to get out of my comfort zone. My freshman year, I had trouble getting an A in biology, so unfortunately, I ended my freshman year on the principal’s list. That year and class taught me a lot to get the grades I received and deserve in my future classes.”
Tacaya Wilson – 8th Grade, Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School
“My name is Tacaya Wilson, and I am in the 8th grade at Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School. I am in the Beta Club and the National Junior Honor Society. I have set some clear and achievable goals that will lead to success in my academic career. One of my main goals for the upcoming school year is to maintain a high GPA in all my classes. I plan to achieve this by staying organized and seeking help from teachers and tutors when needed. I am committed to working hard to get a higher GPA. I also plan to experiment with different study methods, such as creating flashcards and forming study groups. Another goal is to challenge myself to take more advanced and challenging courses. I want to push myself outside of my comfort zone to expand my knowledge and skills and prepare myself for future academic and career opportunities. I believe stepping out of your comfort zone can make you grow. I am confident that I can make the most of my school year and reach all the goals I plan to. I am excited to see what the future holds for me and am committed to working hard to achieve my goals.”
Journee Carr – 10th Grade, Coahoma County High School
“Hello, my name is Journee Carr. As a 10th grader at Coahoma County High School, I am excited to set my success goals for the upcoming school year. One of my primary goals is to maintain a high GPA while taking on more important classes like dual enrollment. Additionally, I aim to join the school’s Student Council to improve my social skills and ability to work under others. Over the past year, I have been extremely active in extracurriculars, including Cheer, Choir, Band, and Beta Club. These experiences have taught me resilience and the importance of perseverance. I have taken the ACT twice, scoring a 19 my second time. I am determined to excel academically and personally, contributing positively to my school and community.”
Zyon Hampton – 10th Grade, Coahoma County High School
“Hello, my name is Zyon Hampton. I’m an upcoming sophomore attending Coahoma County High School. My success goals as a sophomore are to get all A’s all year, meaning I have to study more and be very successful in my classes. I want to become a better student-athlete, and to achieve that goal, I have to always put academics first and sports second. Lastly, I want to be a better note-taker, meaning I really have to pay attention when my teacher is explaining something out loud or writing on the whiteboard. Attached below are my final grades from my latest report card.”
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 Tek and Beyond Annual Back-to-School Giveaway! Your hard work and dedication to your studies are truly commendable. We look forward to seeing your continued success in the future.
*To report a spelling or grammar error or inaccurate information, please email us at info@clarksdaleadvocate.com.
