An 8-year-old third-grader was named the sole first-prize winner from Arizona in a national essay contest about what America means.

Samarthya “Sam” Kumar, whose father said lives in the Chandler-Gilbert area, is among the 25 grades 3-5 awardees and 75 winners overall in the America’s Field Trip America250 essay contest, according to a news release.

In recognition of the award, Kumar and other winners received a guided tour of the White House and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. He also met with an Arizona senator and members of Congress.

The 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.

Kumar’s essay, “What America Means to Me,” is where he shares how his family’s sacrifices and how the opportunities offered by his new country inspired him to study hard and dream big, the release states.

“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. Kumar and his parents earned the all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to celebrate America’s 250th birthday alongside other student honorees from around the country.

In his winning essay, Kumar shares the challenges his family faced when they arrived in America. Despite being highly educated professionals in India, a doctor and a professor, his parents had to re-establish their lives from the ground up.

Financial hardships made even basic necessities like food, rent, and school supplies a struggle, the release states.

“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 my 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.”

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