Mira Mesa Youth Wins National Essay Contest

Mira Mesa fourth-grader Joseph Twelves will be jetting off to Hawaii next week after his essay on education and soaring like an eagle won top prize among 23,048 entries in a nationwide writing contest.

Twelves, a student of Mary Ann Lester at Sandburg Elementary, entered his essay in the contest co-sponsored by the Council of the Great City Schools, together with Eastman Kodak and former All-Pro football player Alan Page.

The 10-year-old Twelves wrote of his belief that he needs a strong education in order to mature into an adult eagle from his fledgling status today in elementary school.

Twelves, his parents and his teacher will all travel to Hawaii to see the Pro Bowl, the National Football League’s all-star game.