For the second time in three months, Leonora Hutaj of Hartsdale, a junior at Maria Regina High School, has won a prestigious essay contest, this time from The Albanian American Educators Association (AAEA) in a competition among high school students celebrating the exploration of Albanian culture and history.
At an award ceremony, Hutaj had the honor of presenting her first-place winning, “The Warrior King Skanderberg,” before an audience of AAEA members and other invited guests and was congratulated by Jacqueline Kapaj-Vieira, AAEA director, who said, “The judges were highly impressed by the insightful and eloquently written essay by Leonora…. Her work stood out for its vivid portrayal of Skanderbeg’s ‘valor’ and his enduring impact as a beacon of strength and hope for Albanians and people worldwide….”
Hutaj received a $500 award and certificate of commendation for her insightful essay about Skanderbeg, the Albanian feudal lord and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in what is today Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia.
Maria Regina High School is a Catholic school where young women are encouraged
to achieve academic excellence, empowered to be compassionate, empowered to be
compassionate leaders and enriched with the spirit to live a life of charity, truth and service to others.
