City of Victorville Recognizes Penelope Trylch 2018 Civil Rights Essay Contest Winner

VictorValley News December 20, 2018

Left to Right: Fred Hunter, CEO Desert Valley Hospital & Medical Group, Regina Weatherspoon-Bell , DVL Founder, Mayor Gloria Garcia, Penelope Trylch and Jan Gonzales, VESD Superintendent. (submitted photo)

Victorville, CA— Today, the City of Victorville announced that Penelope Trylch, a six grade student at Galileo School of Gifted and Talented Education is the winner of its annual Civil Rights Essay Contest. Penelope was recognized by the Victorville City Council, Dec. 18.

Penelope penned her winning essay about American abolitionist and civil rights leader, Harriet Tubman. A portion of her essay will be displayed on a bronze plaque in the City’s Civil Rights Memorial and unveiled on Jan. 21 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Penelope’s teacher, Mrs. Meeks was also given praise because three of the four winning essays now on display in the City’s Civil Rights Memorial were penned by her students.

“We are very proud of Penelope for choosing to write about Harriet Tubman. Her essay is the epitome of the spirit of this contest,” remarked Jan Gonzales, Superintendent of the Victor Elementary School District. “For women, Harriet Tubman laid the foundation for us with her bravery.”

While honoring Penelope, Mayor Garcia said, “Penelope wrote in her essay that Harriet Tubman ‘inspired her to dream today, while developing a heart strong enough to blaze her own trail tomorrow.’”

Garcia also thanked both The Dreamers, Visionaries & Leaders (DVL) Project and Desert Valley Hospital & Medical Group for sponsoring the bronze plaque honoring Harriet Tubman.

DVL Founder, Regina Weatherspoon-Bell fittingly quoted Harriet Tubman in praising Penelope for her achievement, “Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

A portion of Penelope Trylch's winning essay about American abolitionist and civil rights leader, Harriet Tubman will be displayed on a bronze plaque in the City’s Civil Rights Memorial. (submitted photo) — A portion of Penelope Trylch’s winning essay about American abolitionist and civil rights leader, Harriet Tubman will be displayed on a bronze plaque in the City’s Civil Rights Memorial. (submitted photo)

The Civil Rights Essay Contest is sponsored by the City of Victorville in collaboration with Victor Elementary School District. For more information about the Memorial including sponsorship information, contact (760) 955-3306; or send an email to: [email protected]