Quick look: OCDE student Rebecca Page earned top honors in the Jack R. Hammett Memorial Day Essay and Art Contest, which drew more than 120 entries. Winners were recognized at the May 7 Orange County Board of Education meeting, where Rebecca read her essay aloud.
For Rebecca Page, a student in OCDE’s ACCESS program in Mission Viejo, Memorial Day is more than just an extended weekend.
“It is a time to reflect, to honor and to ensure that the sacrifices of our fallen heroes are never forgotten,” she wrote.
That message helped earn her first place in the 11th annual Jack R. Hammett Memorial Day Essay and Art Contest, which invited students from OCDE’s ACCESS and Connections programs to explore the meaning of Memorial Day through original essays and artwork.
Created by the Orange County Board of Education and coordinated annually by OCDE, the contest honors the late Jack R. Hammett, a decorated World War II veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor and longtime civic leader who served the City of Costa Mesa for more than five decades following his Navy career.
In her winning piece, Rebecca described how her understanding of the federal holiday deepened over time as she learned more about its history — and her own grandfather’s military service.
“To me,” she wrote, “Memorial Day is a reminder of the fragility of life and the extraordinary courage of those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the ideals of liberty and justice.”
This year’s contest drew 124 total entries — 65 essays from ACCESS students and 59 essays and art pieces from students in OCDE’s Connections program, which serves youth and young adults with disabilities.
OC Freedom Committee
At the Orange County Board of Education’s May 7 meeting, board President Dr. Ken Williams shared remarks honoring Jack R. Hammett’s legacy and introduced members of the Freedom Committee of Orange County, a group of veterans dedicated to sharing personal stories of military service in local schools.
Associate Superintendent Analee Kredel then recognized the winning entries across all categories. Rebecca, who earned the top award, was invited to read her essay aloud.
All student winners received certificates, and cash prizes were awarded to the top three in each category, thanks to contributions from the board members, County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean and his leadership team.
On service and sacrifice
In her second-place essay, Sunburst Youth Academy cadet Lyra Montanez wrote about honoring her relatives at the cemetery each year and how her time at Sunburst gave her a new appreciation for their sacrifice. Third-place essayist Michael Marquez, also from Sunburst, reflected on the origins of Memorial Day and the lasting legacy of those who served.
Among the Connections submissions, Nana J. from Harbor Learning Center South earned first place in the essay competition, and Ariyamaan P. from Connections at Irvine High School won the top award for artwork.
OCDE’s ACCESS program — short for Alternative, Community and Correctional Education Schools and Services — supports students in nontraditional learning environments. Many are working to recover credits after facing significant obstacles, including family instability, homelessness, incarceration or placement in group homes.
The department’s Connections program serves students with the most significant disabilities based on referrals from Orange County’s 28 school districts. Connections also provides specialized services, including Deaf and Hard of Hearing programs.
Essay and art winners
ACCESS essay winners
- 1st Place ($250): Rebecca Page, Mission Viejo | Teacher: Mike Zanio
- 2nd Place ($150): Lyra Montanez, Sunburst Youth Academy | Teacher: Jacqueline Cerbin
- 3rd Place ($100): Michael Marquez, Sunburst Youth Academy | Teacher: Elizabeth Wilson
Connections essay winners
- 1st Place ($100): Nana J., HLC South | Teacher: Wendy Watts
- 2nd Place ($75): Carven A., HLC South | Teacher: David VanSutphin
- 3rd Place ($50): Kevin C., Golden West College ATP | Teacher: Joe Arnold
Connections art winners
- 1st Place ($100): Ariyamaan P., Irvine High School | Teacher: Kristin Bartus
- 2nd Place ($75): Ryan A., Irvine High School | Teacher: Kristin Bartus
- 3rd Place ($50): Angelica Pulido’s class, Hillview High School*
* Students contributing to the third-place Connections art entry: Redvine A., Nicolas H., Miguel J-M., An L., Rashi M., Bella M-C., Eric R-F., Amin V. and Michaele V.