Way To Go: Bethpage student Melissa Cao

Melissa Cao, a sixth-grader at JFK Middle School in Bethpage, was named winner last month of the 2009 Post-Conference Essay Contest coordinated by Our Kids in Action, a nonprofit organization that promotes character education, wellness and leadership among local students.

She was eligible after attending the Kids in Action Youth Forum at Farmingdale State College in December. The forum featured Sarah Reinertsen, the first female leg amputee to complete the Ironman Triathlon World Championship.

In her one-page essay, Melissa compared the challenge of learning Latin in her spare time to Reinertsen's determination to compete in the triathlon.

"It's like climbing up a mountain - you have to work hard in order to climb up, but once you're there, you forget how hard it was to get up and you enjoy the view from up top," Melissa said in her winning essay. "But I have to practice, practice, practice, like Sarah did."

Essays were judged on organization and mechanics, quality of information, clarity, and evidence of voice.

"I'm proud of Melissa's willingness to put in extra effort," said principal Kerri McCarthy.

Melissa plays violin and is a member of the school newspaper and student council.