Chandler Council praises national essay award winner
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
Samarthya “Sam” Kumar holds up his certificate. Kumar is among 25 grade-level winners in a national essay contest, writing about “what America means to me.” To Kumar’s left is Chandler City Council member Jane Poston. To his right is his mother, Preeti; his father, A.J., and his brother, Adi. In back is Mayor Kevin Hartke.
A boy who won first prize in a national essay contest was honored by the Chandler City Council during its Constitution Week.
Mayor Kevin Hartke invited Samarthya “Sam” Kumar and his family up to the dais during the council’s Sept. 15 study session as part of what he said is recognition of people and groups whose contributions are relevant to the city’s “Constitution Week.”
Kumar wrote a national award-winning essay during the last school year, when he was an 8-year-old third-grader, about what America means to him. His essay was chosen as one of 25 grades 3-5 awardees and 75 winners overall in the America’s Field Trip America250 essay contest, making him the only Arizona winner this year.
The 25 winners in each age group all receive a free trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the White House and the Capitol and to meet members of Arizona’s Congressional delegation.
“My parents wanted me to write the essay so that I could pass third grade,” Kumar said, earning smiles and laughter from the audience.
A news release states that despite Kumar’s family facing significant financial hardships after immigrating from India, where his parents were a doctor and a professor, he never let obstacles define his path.
Excerpts from Kumar’s essay “What America Means to Me,”as published in the news release, show where he describes his new country as one that inspired him to study hard and dream big.”
“America has taught me so much,” Kumar wrote in part of his essay. “It has taught me how to overcome challenges and never give up. It has taught me that even if things are tough, I can still dream big and work hard to achieve my goals.”
Thousands of entries were submitted by young writers in all 50 states, the release states.
Financial hardships made even basic necessities like food, rent, and school supplies a struggle, he wrote.
“My parents came to America from India more than 25 years ago … When they first came, they didn’t have much money,” Kumar wrote. “It was hard to buy food, pay rent, and afford other things. But these challenges made me want to work harder.”
Kumar wrote that even if things are tough, he can still dream big and work hard to achieve his goals.
“America has taught me how to overcome challenges and never give up,” he wrote. “This great nation has taught me to believe in myself, to believe in my parents, teachers — and never the least — to believe in my dreams. If you work hard, one day it will pay off. The dream you see can come true.”
During the Sept. 15 recognition, Kumar described the Constitution as a rulebook to help keep people safe and ensure rights are protected. Then he added something else.
“The Constitution isn’t just an old book,” Kumar told the mayor and council. “It’s alive.”
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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