Student wins national essay contest

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — A Leland middle school student is one of five national winners of the “USA Today” and Office Depot “Dream Up” essay challenge.

Eighth grader Sarah Tisinger wrote about her dream of becoming a veterinarian technician. The essay is part of a special early college elective program offered.

Her teacher was the one who entered her in the national contest.

Tisinger says winning this contest is an extra push to pursue her dream career.

“Well I really wrote about why I wanted to become a vet technician,” she said. “And how I have dogs at home and animals and my passion for them. I want to continue that for my future career.”

“Beyond description she is truly one of the most outstanding students at Leland Middle School,” her teacher John Holleman said. “I’ve followed her closely since the sixth grade, and Iam expecting really great things from her in the future.”

So what’s the big prize? The winners get a day to shadow someone in the career field they wrote about.