"The Unlikely Hero" - MAACS Attorney Stephanie Achenbach's Daughter Paige Wins PTA Literature Award

Essay Features Exoneree Richard Phillips - Wrongly Imprisoned for 45 Years but Not Bitter

Congratulations to MAACS attorney Stephanie Achenbach’s daughter Paige for her wonderful and poignant essay, “The Unlikely Hero,” featuring exoneree Richard Phillips who spent 45 years in prison for a crime he did not commit but never became bitter. Paige’s essay won the PTA Reflections Literature award for grades 3-5 at North Hill Elementary.

For 50 years, National PTA’s Reflections program has helped students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

 

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response a student-selected theme. The theme for the 2018-2019 program year was Heroes Around Me. Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.

 

Student winners from the local level have the opportunity to move up through their district, region, council and state PTA programs to the national level. 

 

Paige won first place at the local level in Literature for her story, “The Unlikely Hero,” about Richard Phillips. Paige also submitted an art project that won 3rd place in the Art category.

  

Aside from art and literature, Paige participates in competitive dance, is a member of her student counsel, and enjoins volunteering to work with children with autism. 


 Paige with her medals.

Read "The Unlikely Hero" here.