To third grader Haset Zelalem, The Apex — the AHC apartment community where she lives — is a “kind community.”
In an essay for the Housing& (formerly HAND) Children’s Essay Contest, Haset responded to the prompt, “What’s the Recipe for a Strong Community?” by highlighting how neighbors at The Apex support one another and make each other feel at home.
“First of all, kindness is important. Kindness is important because kindness makes you feel better and happier,” Haset wrote.
Her essay earned her first place in the contest — and a $500 prize.
“It feels very happy because I thought I was going to be congratulating somebody else. I didn’t know I was this good. I just was like, ‘I’m probably going to do good, but I’m probably not going to win.’ But I actually won, which is super amazing.”
Haset said
As part of her win, Haset attended Housing&’s 34th Annual Meeting on June 5 with her mom and grandmother, where she read her essay on the big stage.
Watch Video of Haset Reading Her Essay and See Highlights from The Apex (Also Below)
Her mom, Meaza Tedela, said she is proud of her daughter and impressed with how she wrote her essay.
“What really impressed me is how she put it together as a recipe, as a cooking kind of recipe,” Meaza said. “My favorite [part] is ‘zero tablespoons of negativity.’ Everything is good — kindness, forgiveness — but zero negativity made me very, very impressed.”
Read Haset’s Award-winning Essay
Meaza and her daughter moved to The Apex in 2020. The location has been a great fit for both of them — close to Meaza’s work and Haset’s school. Since joining the Afterschool program as a first grader, Haset has made many good friends and “never misses a day.”
Bella Molano, Resident Engagement Specialist for education at The Apex, said Haset winning the contest is a highlight for the school year.
“I’ve just seen firsthand how people here really do help each other out. Whether it be through the resident services events or education events we have here, we all work together, and the residents all work together to help us,” Bella said. “It makes me happy to see that the kids notice that as well.”
Haset enjoys the fun activities at The Apex and believes it’s a great place to live. She hopes her essay can help others learn more about her community.
“I just want the people to know that if you don’t have a home and you want a new home, just come to The Apex. It’s a really good place,” she said.
2230 North Fairfax Drive
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Arlington, VA 22201
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Suite 130
Baltimore, MD 21202
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