Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School student Glorianni Pena Feliz was recently named a runner-up in this year’s Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest sponsored by Optimum and the Univision Foundation. Feliz won an iPad for her essay. 
The contest, open to students in grades 6-12, encourages students to reflect on how they stay connected to their communities and Hispanic traditions, whether through media, entertainment, cultural experiences or personal relationships. Feliz wrote an essay about her hair, remarking how she used to straighten it to fit in. As she got older, she wrote, she decided to embrace her Hispanic culture more, including her hairstyle. Optimum also provided a gift card to Copiague School District’s Social Studies Chairperson Michele Penyy to be used for classroom supplies. 
In addition, Feliz was awarded a certificate from the Town of Babylon presented by Town of Babylon Councilman Antonio Martinez.