What does it truly mean to “make every minute matter”?
That was the question asked to students in this year’s school wide essay contest. With 25 submissions, the competition showcased a wide range of voices exploring time, presence, and purpose in daily life.
Mrs. Meagher called the decision process “incredibly difficult,” noting that “every essay reflected real insight and purpose,” and thanking all participants for their thoughtful work.
After careful consideration, three students rose to the top: in first place, senior Fleur Gaspers, in second place, junior Gemma Hong, and in third place, senior Sophie Robina. The contest prizes of $100, $75, and $75, respectively, were generously donated by the PTO, whose continued support helps create meaningful academic opportunities for students.
For first-place winner Fleur Gaspers, inspiration came from close to home. She shared the source of her inspiration to be her “family, more specifically, [her] sisters and grandparents,” along with her experience in Paris, where a broken phone forced her to slow down and be present. The unexpected pause became a lesson that making every minute matter isn’t just about productivity, but noticing and appreciating life’s small, ordinary moments. Those relationships and memories shaped her essay’s focus on presence, gratitude, and mindfulness in everyday experiences.
Fleur hopes readers take away a simple but powerful message: “To be present in every moment and to try not to rush time.” She reflected that it is easy to get caught up in schedules or distractions, but choosing to notice small details can transform ordinary experiences into something meaningful. In her own life, she makes regular days significant by reframing what might otherwise feel mundane. A walk after school becomes a chance to notice her surroundings, or listen to stand-up comedy, or a favorite song. She and her club volleyball teammate even assign each other random, playful challenges during the week that add spontaneity to routine.
Looking ahead, Fleur plans to continue writing for competitions. She described writing as both practice and self-discovery. One technique she recommends to other students is beginning with strong sensory details, such as describing touch, taste, smell, or sight, to “immediately draw readers into the world of the writing.” Fleur’s essay demonstrates that intentional attention to ordinary life, when paired with reflection and imagination, can transform everyday moments into stories worth telling.
Taking second place, junior Gemma Hong centered her essay on a deeply personal experience with her grandparents. She wrote about their language barrier and how, despite it, their closest connection came from simply spending time together.
Gemma hopes readers remember to cherish their loved ones. “It doesn’t have to be much,” she said. “Even simply being there for someone and spending time with them can mean a lot.” Especially for family members seen only occasionally, she emphasized the importance of being present and making the most of limited time.
Though busy with her academic commitments and planning to pursue science in the future, Gemma said she may continue writing, possibly entering science-related competitions. For her, writing is both practice and reflection. “The more you write, the better you get at the skill,” she noted, adding that writing helps her learn new things about herself.
On an ordinary day, Gemma begins with intention. A good breakfast, music in the morning, or choosing to wear something nice helps in setting the tone. “As long as I’m not doing the bare minimum to get out of bed,” she said, the day already feels more purposeful.
Her advice for fellow students is to practice regularly and reflect on one’s experience, as it both strengthens writing skills while simultaneously shedding light on personal growth. Through her essay, Gemma demonstrated that attention to small everyday moments, whether in family connections or daily habits, can shape a more deliberate, fulfilling life.
Senior Sophie Robina, who claimed third place, approached the theme through the lens of perspective and resilience. High school, she explained, “hasn’t always been the easiest,” but rather than letting that define her experience, she has learned to seek perspective intentionally. As she put it, perspective “isn’t something that just falls in your hand, it’s something that you have to deliberately search for.”
That intentional search shaped her response to the prompt, and how making every minute matter is not a one-time decision but a “continuous effort that is imperative for feeling satisfied in life.” She challenged the idea that only extraordinary moments count. While it’s “easy to enjoy hearing a favorite song at a concert,” she noted that it is “arguably more important to enjoy the same song when it comes on shuffle randomly.” In other words, choosing to make the minute matter shouldn’t be a condition reserved for specific circumstances. She emphasized that while we can’t control everything, we can influence our reactions and the good that comes from experiences.
Sophie plans to attend Sarah Lawrence College to study psychology, where she hopes to explore creative writing alongside her academic interests. Though she intends to become a therapist, she envisions writing to remain a part of her life, whether as a passion project or something more serious.
Her advice to fellow writers is grounded and practical. Reading across diverse genres and time periods of literature, she believes, helps writers develop voice and vocabulary naturally, and she often spends time reading before she begins drafting. She also stressed the value of developing ideas through personal reflection, calling brainstorming “an integral part of the writing process” and reminding peers that writing, like any skill, improves through practice.
While only three students took home prizes, the contest punctuated a shared desire among students to live with intention. Whether through family connection, playful challenges, or a deliberate search for perspective, this year’s winners illustrated that making every minute matter is less about grand gestures and more mindful presence.
