The annual Ruggles Essay Contest finals were held at our NJ Sterling Auditorium on Friday. Each junior class member wrote a 600- to 800-word essay, which was judged for originality, grammar and vivid language use, while their oral presentations were judged for eye contact, stance, voice inflection, volume and tone.

The finalists were selected by a committee of Cooperstown faculty and community members. A huge congratulations to our 2026 Ruggles finalists!

Back row: Owen Capozza, Brian Zhang, Hayden Spencer
Middle row: Elizabeth Tooley, Celia Begin, Ruby Stevenson, Sophia Johnson, Margaret Gentles
Front row: Loki Gabriels, Sadie Osterberg, Emily Parker, Kohlee Lepetich, Yimdrulk Gyamtso