Many area children were honored this month at the Shenango Valley Urban League's annual African-American History and Heroes Essay Contest and luncheon.

Bradley McGonigle, 11, a sixth-grader at St. Joseph's School in Sharon and Christina Sagulla, 12, a sixth-grader at Mercer Elementary School, were among many students whose essays were chosen this year. Selecting from a wide range of heroes, Bradley wrote about Jerome Bettis, largely because he likes football, he said. Christina wrote about Ruby Bridges. Her mother, Jennifer Sagulla, said she is not only proud of Christina, but also the topic she picked.

"(Ruby Bridges) struggles growing up in a prejudiced school, but she had character and was very strong," Mrs. Sagulla said.

For the past 29 years the Shenango Valley Urban League has read through hundreds of essays, plucking the best work from the stacks. About 20 winners and 20 runner-ups are usually picked, and in turn the students and their families are invited to attend a luncheon that includes awards.

Elizabeth Lampkins, project director, said through the writing process the kids learn about the struggles and influences of African-Americans.

"The essay contest over the years has been a vehicle for the Urban League to showcase the compassion and talents of our children," Mrs. Lampkins said.

Patty Fisher, project co-chairperson and a teacher at West Hill Elementary in Sharon, said students are always coming up with fresh ideas, raising the bar each year. "They bring in new heroes, even the historical heroes not everybody is aware of," she said.

The essay contest also allows the children to learn, understand and appreciate the richness of all cultures, Mrs. Lampkins said.

Winning essays were read during the luncheon, which was followed by an awards ceremony. Door prizes were also presented. The framed print of former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, donated by postmaster Ray Crady of the Farrell Post Office, was won by Jenny Lin, an honorable-mention student from Musser Elementary in Sharon.

James A. Long, Urban League president, said he was pleased with the number of schools that participated this year.

"I think the involvement was good this year. Mrs. Lampkins, who is also our WIC director, took things mostly on her own and got things together this year," he said.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Larissa Theodore at ltheodore@sharonherald.com