Sport for Every Girl

Today is the National Girls and Women in Sports Day! Look around the world and notice all of the accomplishments and advancements of female athletes. Their paths to and through sport are uniquely theirs and share the full gamut of emotions from sorrow and disappointment to elation and euphoria. Supporting these athletes not only today, on this day of celebration, but 24/7/365 can demonstrate the recognition that is often missing for women who dare to try. 

Our entries this year share deeply personal stories about athletic triumphs and struggles within the field of competition and in life. These young authors bravely used their words to share with others the important, and sometimes hard, life lessons that sport participation brings. Please visit the 2023 Winning Essays tab to read the winning essays. 

Grades 3-5

Winner – Aubrey Peets, 4th grade, Wayne Elementary School

Honorable Mention – Jana Al Marie, 5th grade, Children’s School of Rochester #15 

Honorable Mention – Cali Snyder, 3rd grade, Wayne Elementary School

Grades 6-8

Winner – Emerson Davis, 7th grade, Allendale Columbia

Honorable Mention – Riley Kuhn, 6th grade, Midlakes Elementary

Honorable Mention – Sadrianna Erb, 8th grade, Canandaigua

Grades 9-12

Winner – Julia Burnham, 11th grade, Davidson Academy

Honorable Mention – London Jones, 12th grade, East Rochester High School

Honorable Mention – Mischa Raczka, 9th grade, James A. Benway High School

We are super excited to announce this year’s themes for the 14th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Essay Contest! Each year we offer an opportunity for young girls and women to share their ideas about the power and impact of sport in their lives and in their communities. Any girl grades K-12 is eligible to enter and there are submission parameters related to different grade levels. Authors are invited to write about of these three themes this year.

1. Champions Through Challenges – sport is not always easy. Sport often throws stress, injury, defeat, poor sports, pressure to perform, and a very busy schedule at athletes during their playing careers. Write about how these challenges can actually help you to become a champion in sport and in your daily life.
2. Linking Academics and Athletics – often, sport participation requires particular levels of academic achievement or performance. Write about how you see these two elements being connected and whether you think those two things should be intertwined.
3. Making Daily Choices – in order to be a successful person and a successful athlete, you need to wake up every day and make choices that move you towards those goals. Write about the choices you make that help you to achieve your goals.

Full contest details and a flyer available for download can be found on our Essay Contest Guidelines tab. Sharpen those pencils or fire up the computer and let’s get to writing!