NeW is excited to announce the winner of the High School Category of the 2021 NeW Essay Contest is Sydney King, a student at Nantucket High School. Congratulations, Sydney!

Read her winning piece in the Washington Examiner here.

How did you hear about the 2021 NeW Essay Contest and why did you choose to participate in it?
I heard about the 2021 NeW Essay Contest from Scholarships.com, a scholarship search engine. I chose to participate in this contest because I was interested in NeW’s overall mission. To me, the values that NeW is about — educating and empowering women to be leaders — are very important. This contest was one of the few scholarships that allowed me to explore the history and power of women surrounding me, as well as providing a platform for me to relate to them yet tell my own story.

What was your favorite part about writing this essay?
My favorite part of writing this essay was the information I collected. Writing this essay, I knew exactly who and what I wanted to write about, but I knew I needed more. Writing about Nantucket’s notable women allowed me to do further research on powerful women that have helped to shape my island. This essay taught me about the many women on Nantucket Island that made the community I live in today. Sometimes we need a reminder of how far we’ve come and the power we hold to continue on a path to positive change.  

Why is NeW important?
NeW is important because it provides a safe space for women to speak up and educate others about their values. I think NeW is an extremely important program for all women to get involved with regardless of their political or personal beliefs. It is a space that empowers women to develop, create, and share knowledge. With NeW, women can learn how to be strong and independent leaders.