Gulf Breeze student wins statewide Americanism Essay Contest

A Gulf Breeze Middle School student, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Poland and became U.S. citizens, has won first prize in the Florida State Elks Association Americanism Essay Contest.
Zofia Uszok, 13, was awarded a $1,500 prize and invited to read her essay at the Elks Association State Convention, May 22-25. She was sponsored by Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497.
Her parents, Andrzej and Katarzyna Uszok, came to the United States in 2001 when Zofia was almost 2 years old. Andrez is a research scientist with the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition in Pensacola. Katarzyna was educated as a veterinarian.
Zofia, in 8th grade, won for her essay, “What Does Veterans Day Mean to Me?” It centers on a Veterans Day breakfast her class held for local veterans.  She concludes with this:
“When the breakfast ends, the Veterans leave. Some leave in groups, others separately. I shake each one’s hand. I thank them for coming. Inside though, I acknowledge their feelings and sacrifices made, although I still don’t know their name. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your love. Thank you for fighting in America’s name, for my country.”
The prize includes lodging plus $500 to cover expenses for Zofia and her parents to attend the state convention at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort