Malliotakis Welcomes 2026 Presidents' Day Essay Contest Winners

Image April 13, 2026 Press Release (NEW YORK, NY) — Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis welcomed the winners of her annual Presidents' Day Essay Contest to her offices on Staten Island and in Brooklyn. Elementary school students in grades three through five from across New York’s 11th Congressional district were invited to participate and write essays about what they would do to improve their community if they were President of the United States. "Each year, our office receives hundreds of essays from students across the district through our Presidents’ Day Essay Contest, highlighting their ideas on how they would improve our community and country if they were President of the United States," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. "This year our office received more submissions than ever that showcased the talent, creativity, and civic pride of students across Staten Island and Brooklyn. I was delighted to read their thoughts on a variety of issues including healthcare, homelessness, litter, affordability and animal welfare and am proud to recognize this year’s winners for their outstanding work." BROOKLYN WINNERS: 3rd Grade: 1st Place: Anthony Zulferino, St. Athanasius Catholic Academy 2nd Place: Jose Colon, Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn 4th Grade: 1st Place: Ruska Chomakhidze, Dimitrios & Georgia Kaoidis Parochial School (DGK) 2nd Place: Yulian Feng He, P.S. 203 5th Grade: 1st Place: Ariana Werzberger, Dimitrios & Georgia Kaoidis Parochial School (DGK) 2nd Place: Allison Zhu, Success Academy STATEN ISLAND WINNERS: 3rd Grade: 1st Place: Robert Esponda, Staten Island Hebrew Public Charter School 2nd Place: Rita Mahon, Our Lady of Good Counsel 4th Grade: 1st Place: Ella Ulitto, P.S. 1 2nd Place (Tie): Alexandra Savkub, Southfield Institute 2nd Place (Tie): Michael DeVito, St. Ann School 5th Grade: 1st Place: Jordan Ruiz, Father Vincent Capodanno Catholic Academy (FVCCA) 2nd Place: Victoria Zammitto, P.S. 56