Malliotakis Welcomes 2026 Presidents’ Day Essay Contest Winners
Editor’s note: We covered the announcement of this contest earlier this year by Rep. Malliotakis. We also covered the winners of 2024’s contest, along with other contests by local politicians.
(NEW YORK, NY) — Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis welcomed the winners of her annual Presidents’ Day Essay Contest to her offices on Staten Island and in Brooklyn. Elementary school students in grades three through five from across New York’s 11th Congressional district were invited to participate and write essays about what they would do to improve their community if they were President of the United States.
“Each year, our office receives hundreds of essays from students across the district through our Presidents’ Day Essay Contest, highlighting their ideas on how they would improve our community and country if they were President of the United States,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “This year our office received more submissions than ever that showcased the talent, creativity, and civic pride of students across Staten Island and Brooklyn. I was delighted to read their thoughts on a variety of issues including healthcare, homelessness, litter, affordability, and animal welfare, and am proud to recognize this year’s winners for their outstanding work.”
Staten Island winners. Image Credit – Rep. Malliotakis
STATEN ISLAND WINNERS:
3rd Grade:
1st Place: Robert Esponda, Staten Island Hebrew Public Charter School
2nd Place: Rita Mahon, Our Lady of Good Counsel
4th Grade:
1st Place: Ella Ulitto, P.S. 1
2nd Place (Tie): Alexandra Savkub, Southfield Institute
2nd Place (Tie): Michael DeVito, St. Ann School
5th Grade:
1st Place: Jordan Ruiz, Father Vincent Capodanno Catholic Academy (FVCCA)
2nd Place: Victoria Zammitto, P.S. 56
Brooklyn winners. Image Credit – Rep. Malliotakis
BROOKLYN WINNERS:
3rd Grade:
1st Place: Anthony Zulferino, St. Athanasius Catholic Academy
2nd Place: Jose Colon, Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn
4th Grade:
1st Place: Ruska Chomakhidze, Dimitrios & Georgia Kaoidis Parochial School (DGK)
2nd Place: Yulian Feng He, P.S. 203
5th Grade:
1st Place: Ariana Werzberger, Dimitrios & Georgia Kaoidis Parochial School (DGK)
2nd Place: Allison Zhu, Success Academy
Banner Image: Staten Island winners. Image Credit – Rep. Malliotakis
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was sworn in on January 3, 2021 to represent Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn. Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 2, 2010, defeating a two-term incumbent. In the Assembly, she served as Minority Whip and the ranking minority member of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Employees. For five terms, Congresswoman Malliotakis fought to restore ethics in Albany, expand transit service in her district, improve programs for senior citizens, reform education and improve New York’s economic climate by reducing the tax burden on small businesses and residents. A cornerstone of her tenure was helping her community recover and rebuild following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In addition to advocating for these same issues in Washington, Congresswoman Malliotakis is acutely focused on securing New York’s fair share of federal mass transit funding, which would go towards expanding transportation services and easing traffic congestion, while also championing public safety by supporting our nation’s law enforcement officers. Congresswoman Malliotakis is the daughter of immigrants, her father from Greece and her mother a Cuban exile of the Castro dictatorship. She is currently the only Republican member representing New York City in Congress, representing a district spanning the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. She is a passionate advocate for animal rights and the strengthening of animal cruelty laws, and in her spare time, enjoys spending time with her chihuahua, Peanut.