RHODE ISLAND 8TH GRADE GANDHI ESSAY CONTEST News for 2020-2021 School Year

After 10 years of the Rhode Island 8th Grade Gandhi Essay Contest, the Center will NOT host the contest this year in 2020-21.

We have learned that some teachers are still wanting to encourage their students to research, gather information, and think deeply about the life and ways that Gandhi committed to bring about nonviolent social change.

We suggest that if you would like to have classroom or school contests, you may visit the promts and directions from the last 10 years and choose any one of them to use this year. Find these by clicking on the left side bar “Past Contests” to navigate to these previous contests.

2019-2020 CONTEST

10th Anniversary! 2019-2020

The Center celebrated one decade of spreading peace in the Rhode Island schools, helping thousands of students to better understand the principles and philosophy of Gandhi! This was a special year for the Gandhi Essay Contest – it was our 10th Anniversary and also Gandhi’s 150th birthday.

Thanks to all of the teachers who guided students through this process, focusing on Gandhi’s words of wisdom and peace in their own classrooms.  

This year, 2019-2020 we had 108 essay submissions! The essays were exceptional with many students telling about their own environmental activism.

Press Release

Congratulations to the
Gandhi Essay Finalists & Winners!

On May 5, 2020, The University of Rhode Island’s Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies honored the finalists and winners of its Tenth Annual Rhode Island 8th Grade Gandhi Essay Contest during a remote ceremony May 1 at 5 p.m. They were joined online by approximately 70 people, including 8th-grade essayists, their families, and teachers. The Gandhi Compassion & Selfless Service nominees were recognized also and given special certificates.

1st Place Champion:

Eva Mermin, The Pennfield School, Lori Hawks, Teacher

Read Eva's Essa
Two 2nd Place Winners:

Madeline Brock, Curtis Corner Middle School, Ruby Wildes, Teacher
Issy Swain, The Pennfield School, Lori Hawks, Teacher

Three 3rd Place Winners:

Natasha Connolly, Gordon School, Luke Anderson, Teacher
Kiara-Lynn Pinto, Segue Institute for Learning, Megan Starr, Teacher
Olivia Noon, St. Rose of Lima School, Sarah Powers, Teacher

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Gandhi Participants and Winners

  • Eva Mermin

    Eva Mermin

    “We have become wasteful; and I believe that what Gandhi wanted most was for all people to be mindful. He wanted us to understand all that Earth has given us and how we are taking too much.”

  • Madeline Brock

    Madeline Brock

    “Although humans are destroying the earth and consuming all of the natural resources, we can always try to help instead of hurt… Listen to the wise words of Gandhi and remember to take only what you need, and nothing more.”

  • Issy Swain

    Issy Swain

    “The everlasting fear that what one individual does could never make a difference is something that many people can resonate with. This should not stop us. In fact, addressing the current climate situation is now our biggest need.”

  • Olivia Noon

    Olivia Noon

    “As someone who is not yet able to vote, it is very frustrating that politicians are going backwards rather than forwards regarding climate change policy. The United States is supposed to be a world leader, yet it is far behind other nations addressing this issue.”

  • Alex Lehouiller

    Alex Lehouiller

    “Although Alex has been busy with sports and music he always made sure to focus on volunteering and has made it a priority.”

  • Eva Mermin
  • Madeline Brock
  • Issy Swain
  • Olivia Noon
  • Alex Lehouiller

Finalists

All the students listed as finalists, as well as all the participants, collaborators, and parents, made the 10th Annual Gandhi Essay Contest an incredible and unforgettable success!

Read full list here

Enjoy more great content

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Licypriya Kangujam wants children to have a better and cleaner planet. The actions of this Indian climate activist are taking the world by storm. Click in the image to read more about her.
Licypriya Kangujam wants children to have a better and cleaner planet. The actions of this Indian climate activist are taking the world by storm. Click in the image to read more about her.
sponsors:

The contest is an interdisciplinary collaboration among the URI Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies and the URI College of Education and the URI Philosophy Department.

Thank you to all those teachers and students who have participated in the past and have helped to spread awareness of nonviolent and peaceful alternatives to conflicts, especially in our local and global communities today.