Dyker Heights kids have the ‘write’ stuff

February 13, 2013 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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Jessica Moran and Nicholas Pilacinski were both in the right place at the “write” time.

The youngsters, who are students at Dyker Heights Intermediate School, were crowned the winners of the School District 20 Eighth Grade Essay Contest and have won the chance to work as interns in the offices of two local lawmakers.

State Sen. Marty Golden (R-C-Bay Ridge-southern Brooklyn) will welcome Jessica to his staff, while Nicholas will be working in the offices of Councilman Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst).

Jessica’s essay dealt with ways society can combat prescription drug abuse. Nicholas’s essay offered up ways to combat littering on city streets.

District 20 School Superintendent Karina Costantino and Community Education Council President Laurie Windsor joined Principal Madeleine Brennan in congratulating Jessica and Nicholas when the two students received their winner’s certificates last week during an assembly at the school at 8010 12th Ave.

District 20 has jurisdiction over more than 30 public schools located in the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, as well as schools in parts of Sunset Park and Borough Park.

“Jessica and Nicholas have shown an exceptional interest in local government,” Golden said. “I am honored to have Jessica interning with my office, and I look forward to having her continued input on important topics like prescription drug abuse, which affects both the young and the old of our community,” he said.

“Taking pride in your community at an early age is very important,” Gentile said. “Giving back is one of the most rewarding experiences that both parents and children can do together. You will be proud to know that your child can influence others to act from the heart while promoting the quality of life in a community and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference.”

“Believing that education takes place beyond the four walls of a classroom, I am delighted that Senator Golden and Councilman Gentile endorsed internships for intermediate school students,” Costantino said.

“It is never too early to have our students play an active role in preserving their community,” she added.