The West End Rotary Club sponsors an essay contest each year which is open to Pleasant Valley High School juniors.

This year's essay theme was "Engage Education Change Lives."Kristan Lai, 17, is the first-place winner. She wants to be an illustrator someday.She is the daughter of Sherma and John Lai of Saylorsburg.Francesca Nicholas, 17, is the second-place winner. She wants to pursue a career in the medical field, perhaps as a physical therapist.She is the daughter of Gerianne and David Nicolas of Brodheadsville.Third place went to Meghan Long, 17. She plans to become an occupational therapist, specializing in pediatrics.She is the daughter of Wendy and Alex Long of Saylorsburg.The students received certificates of achievement and monetary awards in the amounts of $150, $100 and $75, respectively. They and their parents were honored guests at the regular Thursday breakfast meeting of the club at the Western Pocono Community Library.The club has forwarded the first-place essay to Rotary International District 7410, where it will be judged along with the essays from approximately 50 high schools in northeast Pennsylvania. The district essay awards will be presented in June.Elaine Akroyd-Kelly, the club's New Generations officer and coordinator of the essay contest, says the essays were judged on grammar, writing style and theme.Special guest Irene Carey, Rotary Club district governor, says the essay theme was based on this year's international theme of "Engage Rotary Change Lives."John Gress, principal at Pleasant Valley High School, thanked the Rotary Club "for all you do. And congratulations to all you girls."Club President Debbie Borger offered her congratulations and said, "You give us hope for the future."West End Rotary is part of Rotary International, a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service and encourages high ethical standards in all vocations.At the local level the club conducts several fundraisers to support students, firefighters, police, libraries, the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network and other organizations within the community.The club meets at 7:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville.