Carmel student among Sertoma Club’s National Heritage Essay contest winners

The Sertoma Club of Broad Ripple honored the top three winners of its 2025 National Heritage Essay contest at a special luncheon held on May 1 at the Woodland Country Club.

The winners were (First Place) Rahmy Calili, Hasten Hebrew Academy, Indianapolis; (Second Place) Bryiah Hamilton, Indian Creek Elementary, Indianapolis; and (Third Place) Isiah Buonanno, Creekside Middle School, Carmel.

“This essay contest asks students to address the topic ‘What Freedom Means to Me,’” Chairman Joe Thurston said. “We hope that the contest compliments teachers’ efforts to develop their young students’ critical thinking and writing skills, and we believe that participation will encourage students to better understand the founding principles of our country and to consider how these principles affect their lives today,” he continued.

The National Heritage Essay Contest is open to sixth-grade students attending public, private, and parochial schools in Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, and Indianapolis.

This year’s contest winners won out over 1,930 students in 71 classrooms from 13 schools. Classroom winners were selected from the top three submitted by each classroom teacher and received $50 each. Seventeen finalists were selected from the classroom winners and received $100 each.

The three Grand Prize Winners were guests at the Sertoma Club’s National Heritage Recognition Luncheon, along with their teachers, principals, and their immediate families

Mr. Calali received a check for $400, Ms. Hamilton received a check for $300 and Mr. Buonanno received a check for $200. Each Grand Prize Winner also received a commemorative plaque for themselves and their school, and their teachers received each received a $150 honorarium.

The Sertoma Club has sponsored this contest for 44 years. It also provides financial support for 20 central Indiana charities by hosting casino parties for businesses, clubs, and organizations.

Learn more about the Sertoma Club of Broad Ripple at broadripplesertoma.org.