Woodbrook students win big at American Immigration Council regional writing competition

ALBEMARLE CONUTY, Va. (WVIR) - Congratulations are in order for four elementary schoolers at Woodbrook Elementary School in Albemarle County.

The American Immigration Council’s “Celebrate America Creative Writing Contest” asks students to explain why they are happy America is a nation of immigrants or what it means to be a welcoming nation.

The competition begins at the local level, and this year, Woodbrook swept first, second, and third place in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia chapter, with two students tying for third. Norah Ong, the fifth grader whose essay won first place, will now progress to the national contest.

Jillian Grace Dizon won second place, while Kimberly Ong and Arezo Lodin tied for third.

“One day our teachers...were like hey, Norah, Jillian, want to do this contest about why I’m glad America is a nation of immigrants, I was like okay, I love challenging stuff, so of course I will do that,” Norah said.

Shana Clements, their fifth-grade teacher, said she came across the opportunity and knew she had to help these students give it a shot.

“I’d already seen that they could do such great things, so being able to give them extra opportunities that not only reach the school but also the community is something I love to do for my students,” Clements said.

No student at Woodbrook has ever placed in the regional competition before, until now.

“I think I was more excited than them when I found out,” Clements said.

On Thursday, May 22, the students traveled to Washington, D.C., where they presented segments of their winning essays at the American Immigration Council.

“It was very exciting and nervous at the same time, because we were reading to a big group of people, especially lawyers,” Norah said. “Representing Woodbrook to Washington DC was a very proud moment for me and my teachers.”

Arezo says her favorite part of her essay was a section that discussed how “no matter where you come from, and what you do, we can all be together in this whole country.”

“It was very hard at first, and then I got used to it mostly,” Arezo said about moving . “Woodbrook has been a very good school, and I really enjoy it here, and I don’t wanna leave.”

Arezo and her family came to the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2019.

“I didn’t expect that I was gonna win, but when I heard that I won I was very proud of myself and very happy,” Arezo said.

Kimberly Ong, whose family is from Myanmar, says she was happy to go to D.C., but that she’s looking forward to winning first place in the future.

“My parents were proud of me, but like...when I got into third place, I was like meh, I could just try better next time,” Kimberly said.

Jillian says her parents, who immigrated from the Philippines, inspired the themes in her essay.

“I’m happy that America is a nation of immigrants because it helps bring our world together, and immigrants have a huge impact on America,” Jillian Dizon said.

Clements says she’s planning to assign this essay contest for as long as she works with fifth graders.

“I’m just excited to see what else they’re going to do,” Clements said.

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