Students across the Dysart Unified School District were invited to participate in the My El Mirage and My Surprise Essay Contests in November 2022.

Prompts were developed in partnership with each city to elicit responses that spoke about each city’s mission or vision.

More than 200 students in third through 12th grade submitted essays with schools choosing the top 128 district-wide. The writings were evaluated based on understanding of city services/amenities, creativity, clarity, sincerity of thought and proper grammar.

Winners from Surprise were selected in specific grade bands and were honored March 7 at the Surprise City Council meeting. Those honored were:

• Cadence Fumia and Rose Vasquez from Countryside Elementary in the grade 3-4 division;
• Tatianna Pellegrino from Freedom Traditional School for fifth through eighth grade;
• Kaleb Delgado from Shadow Ridge High School, who won for the high school division.

El Mirage structured its essay winners differently. Honorees were:

• Top three students in grade 3-8: Esmeralda Olvera Martinez; first place, Lejla Tvrtkovic; second place, and Kaleb Rodriquez; third place all from El Mirage Elementary School.
• High school recognitions went to Nathaniel Cosio, and Andre Mena, both 11th-grade students at Valley Vista High School.

The five students and their families were invited to attend the El Mirage Council meeting on March 7. The students were recognized and received ribbons and certificates.