Student Awards

Albright Essay Prompt 2025

Preamble

This year's Heritage of Freedom honoree is Eaton Canyon fire hero Pete Villani, an award-winning cinematographer. As a resident of Altadena, Pete returned to his home during the emergency in January to find his home and others nearby being attacked by flames. He jumped into action with his garden hose, first saving his own home and then those immediately either side of his. He then turned to other homes around and across the street, hosing them down and throwing buckets of water against the stucco until the neighborhood's water pressure ran out. In all, Pete saved 8 houses from certain destruction.

Essay Prompt (Choose one)
Either: Tell a story about how and when you decided to go out of your way to help others in need and how the experience helped you yourself grow.

Or: Write about someone (past or present) whom you admire who decided to go out of their way to help others in need and how it helped that person grow.