In the spring of 2003, Global Harmony Through Personal Excellence, Inc. held the 16th annual Celebration of Youth essay contest. Find the names of all winners and honorable mentions to the right. Excerpts from the winning essays are below.

Kiana Harper, Elementary Division

The following is an excerpt from the 1st place essay by Rudolf Elementary School 5th grader Kiana Harper. The essay is called My Twin Brother and I.

My twin brother Kyle has taught my family a lot about happy times and sad times. Kyle is the reason I decided to write this today. I love him very much and I want others to know how special he is. Sometimes when we are shopping or at the playground people stare at him; but he doesn’t let it bother him. He usually makes a point to speak to those who stare at him. You see, my brother has Spina Bifida. He is in a wheel chair most of the time. He cannot move his legs on his own. He can’t even feel his legs or feet. He has a brace that allows him to stand and walk with the help of a walker. Kyle has not let this get him down. ...

There are things he cannot do, but there are even more things that he can do. We always try to look at the bright side of things. My mom has always said that there are so many people in the world with nothing; they have no home, no food, no education, and sometimes no hope. We have so much in this country, a home, food, and friends. Kyle is always reminding us how blessed we are every time he shares his laughter and dreams of what he will be when he grows up.”

Margarita Juarez, Junior High, 1st Place

The following is an excerpt from her essay entitled, Incomplete.

Waking with the sun, the questions from the night before returned. Whose clothes were in that bag? Why were they stained red? Why was my mom crying? Why was I sent to bed early?

Running down the stairs, I saw a room full of strangers, people who had never come to my house before. Wearing black and crying, I realized that they all knew what was going on. It seemed like I was the only one that did not. I became the stranger in my own house. Looking for something I understood, I went directly to my mother. My mother looked straight at me, as if breaking that glance would stop her breath.

‘Margarita, daddy died last night.’ She told me as if she were telling me a secret.

‘What-Why-How?’ I cried out, linking all the questions like one word.

“He was shot.’ ....

When I was eight a chapter was closed and a new one opened with a loss of innocence. I see death and violence in a new light. Never understanding why, just having to accept without a chance to say goodbye. Nothing lasts forever. We all grieve in different ways. My family and I suffer; my mother has had to work hard. It was a gain though because I learned my family will always stick together. Now I sometimes feel incomplete because I see friends with both their parents and I only have one parent –my loving and caring mother. When I see other people disrespecting their parents all I have to say is cherish them. If not, you may regret it because you never know, tomorrow or the day to come, you may lose them. It is hard, no matter which way you lose them. And no matter what, no matter how much you love, give, forgive, and remember, you are always a bit incomplete.”