Thank You, Ruby Bridges

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U.S. Deputy Marshals escort six-year-old Ruby Bridges from William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1960. (Photo: AP Images)

Ruby Bridges saw the harshness of racism through her own eyes. As a 6-year-old in 1960 she walked through a screaming mob into a white New Orleans elementary school. Today, along with Scholastic Book Clubs, she has recognized 25 students who described racism through their eyes in letters to Bridges.

These 25 students are winners of the first-ever Scholastic Book Clubs “Dear Ruby Bridges…” National Letter Writing Contest. Winners were chosen by Bridges for their sincerity and eloquence in sharing their own personal experiences. Almost 15,000 students in grades 4 to 6 wrote letters to Bridges, who is author of the autobiography Through My Eyes.

Here are the 25 winning essays.

Abigale C., Mississippi
Alexis G., Florida
Alicia Czarnecki, Michigan
Anaiste R., California
Belinda W., California
Bronte P., Massachusetts
Cambre G., Georgia
Cameihl R., Texas
Clare S., Ohio
Edward D., California
Elise F., Texas
Emilee M., Texas
Gosuke K., California
James G., Maryland
Jesse L., Indiana
Katelyn S., Texas
Kristen J., New Jersey
Laura C., New Jersey
Laureano G., California
Marissa M., Massachusetts
Matthew K., New Jersey
Meenakshi C., Massachusetts
Taryn C., Massachusetts
Tiyana H., Honolulu, HI
Zackery T., Orwigsburg, PA

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