McKinley High School student Sumaiya Muzahid is a recent KidBits writing contest winner. With nearly 1000 entries from all over Western NY in the Erie1 BOCES sponsored contest this year, Sumaiya is one of 6 students who were awarded.
Teacher Suki Kim says, “Sumaiya is shy and was reluctant to enter the contest, but I encouraged her by telling her we need her as a role model for Muslim female students.”
The title of Sumaiya’s short story is “Reading,” in which she wrote about a trip to the library with her sister. Once in the library stacks, she found the books to be so captivating and absorbing that she forgot where she was. In her own narrative, Sumaiya realizes that through reading she can be anyone she wants to be and anywhere the imagery of a story can take her. KidBits awarded her for "voice" of the story.
Ms. Kim says that her shy student was shocked to be a winner. “I hope this opportunity gave her the courage to be the ‘voice’ for all reluctant, timid ESL students who think their works are not good as non-ESL students.”
Sumaiya is pictured here with the plaque from KidBits, who also gave her a leather-bound journal and a bag. Also in the picture is McKinley Assistant Principal Mr. Villarroel.
