Oct. 4, 2022

7th grader named essay contest Top Winner

A seventh-grade student from Upper St. Clair recently finished among the Top Winners of the grades 6-8 category in the 2022 Gandhi Creative Writing & Art Contest. Suhavi Singh, from Fort Couch Middle School, was recognized during the Gandhi Community Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at Carnegie Mellon University. 

The writing contest tasked students with submitting a 500-word essay on the topic, “What does community mean to you? Is Gandhi's view on community relevant today and how?”

“Suhavi’s response was excellent and covered both an analysis of Gandhi's views and her personal experiences,” Thomas Yochum, Fort Couch Middle School gifted education teacher, said.

As a Top Winner, Suhavi had the opportunity to present her paper on stage during the Gandhi Community Celebration. 

In total, there were 200 entries from 15 schools throughout the region. Winners were not ranked; instead, they were classified as Top Winners in their respective grade-level categories. There were four Top Winners in grades 3-5; six Top Winners in grades 6-8; and two Top Winners in grades 9-12.

All Top Winners received a one-year dual membership to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, a check for $150, a book on Gandhi, and a certificate.

This marked Suhavi’s second time earning recognition in the Gandhi Creative Writing and Art Contest. She was also among the Top Winners 2020.

The event was organized by the Alliance for Humanitarian Initiatives, Nonviolence & Spiritual Advancement (AHINSA) in partnership with the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion at Carnegie Mellon University.

“In our perspective, it is important we learn from Gandhi and put his ideas into action in our day to day lives,” Jignesh Shah, an AHINSA official, said. “We were impressed with our youth’s views on: importance of community; community building; their own community contributions; listening to and respecting each other; practicing non-violence and peaceful protests; solving racial, economic and educational inequities; and the importance of policy that benefits all.”

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2022 Gandhi Creative Writing & Art Contest Top Winners

Grade 3 – 5: Top Winners
Martha Loeza Canto, St. Edmund’s Academy
Linnea Tucker-Hill, St. Edmund’s Academy
Emma Mason, Acmetonia
Sam Zarit, St. Edmund’s Academy

Grade 5 – 8: Top Winners
Carter Kunicky, Norwin Middle School
Eliza Burgess, St. Edmund’s Academy
Hyunsoo Kim, St. Edmund’s Academy
Suhavi Singh, Fort Couch Middle School
Esme Kulick, St. Edmund’s Academy
Oliver Seo, St. Edmund’s Academy

Grade 9 – 12: Top Winners
Carissa Walsh, Springdale Jr. Sr. High School
Zaitun Kirabo, The Ellis School