Cash Prizes Awarded to Winners and Their Schools
The Friends of The Old Croton Aqueduct hosted the third annual Yonkers Aqueduct Essay Contest, which recognized five Yonkers high school students for their outstanding writing. The contest not only honored student voices, but also awarded cash prizes to the winners and their institutions.
Essays submitted by the students were described by contest organizers as “engaging, well-written and profound” works that explored “The Old Croton Aqueduct and about self-discovery.”
Godslove Agyarko, a senior at Lincoln High School, won first place with a $500 prize for his essay, followed by Isabella Garrison from Sacred Heart High School with $300 and Naomi Akuoku and Aithor Ledesma in third with $100 each. Idaan Amoako Marshall received a Certificate of Merit for his outstanding entry.
The students’ success at Lincoln High School, Sacred Heart, and Roosevelt High resulted in matching donations, which benefited not only the students but also the larger school communities.
About the Old Croton Aqueduct
The contest focused on the Old Croton Aqueduct, a 26-mile historic trail in Westchester County that runs through Yonkers for seven miles. It goes through Tibbetts Brook Park, Warburton Avenue, and Van Der Donck Park in downtown Yonkers.
For Harold McKoy, the Yonkers consultant for the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct, the trail is personal. “I grew up running on the Aqueduct,” he said. “Who knew a tunnel hides under the trail? Or that the Croton Dam connects straight to Yonkers through the old water tunnel!” McKoy, who now works to educate others about the Aqueduct’s legacy, added, “Every kid in Yonkers should go see the Croton Dam. It was the Ninth Wonder of the World back in the day.”
The Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park runs from the Croton Dam to the Bronx, passing through twelve municipalities. Locals and visitors use the trail for recreation. When traveling north from New York City, it has been described as a path where “one walks back in time”.
Educational Programs Available
New York State Parks is offering a $1,000 grant to cover bus transportation for school field trips to the Old Croton Aqueduct, allowing students to see the site’s history and beauty firsthand. The educational visits, which include guided tours led by park educators, provide a better understanding of the aqueduct’s role in New York’s development.
Teachers or schools interested in bringing their classes can reach out to Laura Compagni at Laura.Compagni@parks.ny.gov for more information about how to apply.
About the Sponsoring Organization
The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct is a volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to preserving the historic aqueduct in Westchester County and New York City. Their mission is to help people discover, appreciate, and protect this hidden piece of New York history. They use education and storytelling to connect students to the aqueduct’s history and promote reflection on its relevance today.
Additional information about the Old Croton Aqueduct and future programs can be found at www.aqueduct.org. Harold McKoy, Yonkers consultant for the organization, can be reached at hmckoy@ebegroups.com or 914-776-4330.
