Brianna Lertora
Monday, July 09, 2012
She acts, plays the bells in the school band and jazz ensemble, played softball for two years, was a Girl Scout and Spanish Club member, and has been recognized for her academic achievements. Her most recent honor? She is the newest winner of the Lincoln Essay and Drawing Contest for the eighth grade.
Her name is Samira Ibrahim, and she is one accomplished 14-year-old.
Ibrahim, who just graduated St. Mary’s of the Hills School in Milton, lives in Randolph with her parents, Abdi and Ali, and younger sister, Bayden.
“We are proud to be a part of the town of Randolph,” said Samira’s father, Abdi. “When one of the kids does well, it looks good for the town.”
The Lincoln Essay and Drawing Contest was established by Mary Bowditch Forbes, who requested essays and drawings from students each year inspired by the life of Abraham Lincoln. She began a collection of Lincoln and Civil War memorabilia, which is on display at the Forbes House Museum in Milton. A first-, second- and third-place winner is chosen from grades four through eight throughout Milton and greater Boston.
Ibrahim’s essay, which won first-place for the eighth grade, was among a record 735 submitted essays overall. This year, students were asked to consider the steps Lincoln took to end slavery, and state what they personally would have done to end slavery.
Ibrahim submitted her essay as part of a requirement for her history class.
“My history teacher wanted everyone to do it because it was something that we were learning about; we were doing the Civil War at the time,” Ibrahim said. “She said that at least one of us in the class was going to win, so she was very confident in us.”
Her teacher was right. Ibrahim was presented with a certificate, awarded $25, and given a one-year family membership to the Forbes House Museum, where a photo of her and her family hangs. Ibrahim, along with two other essay winners, read her essay to an audience at the museum.
Ibrahim also received the Mary Miley Memorial Scholarship, was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, and was the valedictorian of her eighth-grade class at St. Mary’s of the Hills School.
“I’m very proud of myself,” Ibrahim said. “I think it’s very special.”
This fall, Ibrahim and Bayden, 11, will attend Thayer Academy in Braintree. Samira plans to join some clubs and wants to try a new sport, in addition to softball. Bayden will start the sixth grade.
“It’s a very good school, really,” Abdi said. “I’m very happy they’re going to Thayer.”