Newsday (New York)
April 30, 2006 Sunday
NASSAU EDITION

WAY TO GO!;
Special essay, special prize

by MARY ELLEN PEREIRA

Julia Naldjian, a second-grader in Carole Ellert’s class at Village
Elementary School in Syosset, was one of four grand-prize winners in
the school essay contest sponsored by the Long Island Presidents’
Council of the New York State United Teachers. Each winner received a
$500 U.S. Savings Bond. Students in grades kindergarten through 12
were asked to write an essay on the theme: “My Teachers Are Special
Because . . .” Julia, 7, was the top winner in the primary category.

She wrote about how nice her teachers are.

“When they teach me new things I feel strong and happy inside,” Julia
wrote. “I study foreign languages and that makes me travel in my
imagination.”

A taped recording of the top four essays in the students’ voices will
air through May 16 on 11 local radio stations as part of a feature
about the excellence of Long Island schools.

Julia is a Brownie Girl Scout. She takes piano and swimming lessons.

An avid reader, she enjoys the Magic Tree House and the A to Z
Mysteries series. On Saturdays, she goes to Armenian school.

Julia lives in Syosset with her parents, Henry and Anahid, and
younger brother, Robert. She likes animals and wants to be a
veterinarian when she grows up. “I have a dog and three goldfish,”
she said.

TO NOMINATE a student as a Way to Go! candidate, send information and
photograph (photos cannot be returned) to Mary Ellen Pereira,
Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY 11747 or e-mail
maryellen.pereira@newsday.com. Photos sent via e-mail should be
high-resolution images.

GRAPHIC: Photo – Julia Naldjian