Village Student Enters Time for Kids Contest

A little girl from Syosset is getting a big start to a writing career.

Sally Hooey, 10, who attends Village Elementary in Syosset, entered her essay on Board of Education member Josh Lafazan in a Time for Kids essay contest.

Here is her essay:

IT IS TIME FOR KIDS TO INSPIRE ADULTS

"Josh Lafazan is a very successful kid in the adult world. In 2012, Josh Lafazan decided to run for a seat on the School Board of Education in Syosset, New York. He was only 18 years old. People told him that he was too young to join politics as a teenager, but he didn’t let other people discourage him. When he put his mind to his political goal, he accomplished it because he was determined. He believed in himself and became one of the youngest elected officials in the history of New York State, receiving 82% of the vote.

Lafazan accomplished his goal, but it wasn’t easy. At the age of 16, he realized that he wanted to make a difference in the Syosset Schools and sit on the Board of Education. Unfortunately, many people said a teenager without experience could not run for office. Joshua researched the law and found out that you only have to be 18 years old and live in the school state for at least one year in order to run for office. When he turned 18, he prepared a campaign to let voters know that he was running for office, and he gave them reasons to vote for him. All his hard work paid
off, and he succeeded.

Josh Lafazan is a very positive person who is filled with great energy and is always
encouraging young people to achieve their goals. He wants to inspire kids to believe that they can make a difference in the adult world. “I am leading a unique path for others to follow,” Lafazan says. “It is important to me that kids know that if they have a dream, they should follow it. Kids have fresh ideas and unique perspectives that can inspire adults. They can do anything, even though some people may say they can’t.” Lafazan is living proof that his words are true! He achieved his goal at only 18 years old and is a role model for more than 6,000 children in the Syosset Central School District and any child who has a dream."