Eliona Taiwo and Jennifer Marganski. Photo courtesy of the Amity Regional District.
An essay written by an Amity Middle School Orange student has led to an honor for firefighters on the other side of the continent.
Former eighth grade student Eliona Taiwo was given an assignment in March by social studies teacher Jennifer Marganski to write about a personal hero and make a case for why that person (or group) deserves a monument or memorial.
Taiwo chose the Los Angeles firefighters who had battled wildfires around the heavily-populated county in January, which led to multiple deaths and billions of dollars in damage. Taiwo argued that firefighters deserve recognition just as lasting as the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
She then sent a letter to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce making the same argument.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood Community Foundation were so inspired by her words that they decided to make her idea real. The chamber will unveil an Award of Excellence Star on Dec. 12 honoring the Los Angeles Fire Department alongside the Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. The ceremony will include LAFD Chief Jamie Moore, firefighters, community leaders, as well as Taiwo and Marganski.
Delta Air Lines is providing round-trip flights for Taiwo, her family and Marganski, and the W Hotel Hollywood is hosting them for the weekend. The ceremony is being underwritten with support from The Walt Disney Company.
“This is what we hope for when we ask students to write, think and consider others,” said Superintendent Jennifer Byars. We want them to see themselves as people who can shape the world. Eniola’s work shows how far a student’s idea can travel when teachers like Ms. Marganski create the kind of creative, supportive learning that lets kids take real risks and do real-world work. Her project is a perfect example of our Amity Portrait of the Graduate in action – communication, empathy, collaboration, and problem solving – and we couldn’t be prouder of both.”
“Eniola’s idea came from empathy and courage,” said AMSO Principal Kathy Burke. “She saw people serving others under impossible circumstances and said, ‘they deserve to be honored.’ That’s powerful. This is an excellent opportunity to show what Amity students can do when they’re encouraged to lead with purpose.”
The Hollywood Chamber has given fewer than ten Awards of Excellence in its history.