CNS Optimist Club announces 2025-26 Essay Contest winners

April 10, 2026
 

	The Cicero-North Syracuse Optimist Club has announced the winners of its 2025-26 Essay Contest, which invited students to reflect on the theme, “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me.” This year’s first-place winner is CNS Senior Emma Van Beveren. Jillian Bambino (junior) earned second place and Alek Atakan Gulay (sophomore) earned third place.
The annual contest gives students an opportunity to share their perspectives through writing while competing for scholarship recognition. This year, eligibility was expanded to include students in grades 8-12, under age 19, who live within the boundaries of the North Syracuse Central School District. Other student participants from Cicero-North Syracuse High School recognized in this year’s contest included Nina Galle (senior), Alexis Sturgeon (sophomore) and Andrew Dolson (senior). North Syracuse Junior High School participants included Liliana Leo (8th grade) and Victoria Cron (freshman). The district congratulates all of this year’s essay contest participants for sharing their voices and representing their schools and community so well.