Six students from Texans Can Academy - Carrollton/Farmers Branch participated in the 2017-2018 Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce essay contest. From left: Calixto Servin, David Campozano, Audrey Nida-Best, Sheridan Davies, Tu Nguyen, Alexis Ambrosio, Dr. Lucy Hakemack and Xavier Delgado.
Approximately 130 students from and Texans Can Academy – Carrollton/Farmers Branch, R.L. Turner High School, Early College High School, Mary Grimes Education Center participated in the 2017- 2018 Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce Essay Contest, held January 31st – February 16th, 2018.
The students were prompted to share a written quote of what their illustration of the American Dream would be if they were to share it with the world. They were given famous quotes by American icons, Thomas Jefferson and Bob Dylan as examples. Within a ten-day period, the students were asked to finalize and submit their essays, that were then graded by five Chamber of Commerce committee members on the development of the topic, grammar, spelling, punctuation and elaboration.
Six students from Texans Can Academy – Carrollton/Farmers Branch participated in the competition and two students from the high school, Audrey Nida-Best and Tu Nguyen, advanced to the final five out of 130 entries chosen on February 9th, 2018.
Audrey and Tu, along with the three other finalists, advanced to the final round of the contest and participated in a face-to-face interview with the host committee. The students were asked to elaborate on their essays and explain their written illustration.
Audrey Nida-Best, senior at Texans Can Academy – Carrollton/Farmers Branch, was announced as the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce Essay Contest winner at the Student Recognition Lunch on Friday, February 16th at Brookhaven Country Club. Her story was about the founding pillars of America. She described her illustration of success as being able to find happiness in doing what you are passionate about on a daily basis. A grand prize and a gift card was awarded to the top essay winner and gift cards were awarded to the four runners up.
Texans Can Academies believe in providing the highest quality education for all students, especially those who have struggled in a traditional high school setting. They believe in helping students earn their high school diplomas and assisting with their needs to further their career paths after graduation.
For more information on Texans Can Academies, please visit www.texanscan.org.