Hundreds of students from around the country entered the German Embassy's Annual Essay Contest. The panel of judges had their work cut out for them and are pleased to present the winners. Congratulations!

Grades 3-5

Winner: Leo Miller (Milwaukee, WI)

Teacher: Arika Kasper​​​​​​​

Do you have a favorite food? Maybe it’s a traditional food that you make at home. Or maybe it’s a fast food that only exists in your area. In Germany, a common fast food is currywurst. Currywurst is a type of sausage dish in Germany. It has a special sauce made from ketchup and curry powder. I have never had it, but it sounds good. In Wisconsin, Culver’s is a popular fast food restaurant. It’s only from Wisconsin and it has some of my favorite foods.

The flavor of the day from Culver’s is frozen custard. You never know what the flavor is going to be. Sometimes it’s vanilla, sometimes it’s strawberry, or lemon meringue. I like all of them, but my favorite is strawberry cheesecake. Frozen custard comes in many forms. Sometimes it comes in a small bowl, other times you eat it in an ice cream cone. You can also order it as a sundae, which is custard in a bowl with candy and syrups. Sundaes are also originally from Wisconsin.

Culver’s has hot foods too. I also like grilled cheese sandwiches made with American cheese. It tastes very good. It is basically just bread, butter and cheese, fried. It tastes great. I like Culver’s because it can be healthy. They have broccoli and salads as side options. Plus, if you get a kid’s meal, you can get a free custard along with the grilled cheese. They also offer chicken tenders and butter burgers, but the ones I told you about are my favorites.

In conclusion, Culver’s has many American foods that come from Wisconsin. Custard, sundaes, and grilled cheese are my favorites. They all have dairy, and my home state is called the Dairy State, so it fits well and represents where I am from.

Grades 6-8

Winner: Shreyan Gurram (Dublin, OH)

Teacher: Emily Colgan

Context: The main speaker is a mayor looking to cut down on emissions “As the esteemed mayor of Meißen, a critical issue is taking shape. With the looming problem of climate change, we need to take a step into our battle with our carbon emissions. Our goal is to be completely carbon neutral. Although it won’t be easy, we need to finally face climate change directly. Please, look for ways you could cut down on emissions. I will make sure we have new regulations set in place to make it easier to reach our ambitious goal.”

After countless questions made by curious reporters, I walked out of the stage. I thought about how myself and the entirety of this town could cut down on emissions. On my left, I saw a train slowing to a stop. Throughout my various travels, I have both seen high speed trains and regular passenger trains topped with solar panels. I hadn’t thought much of it then, however now as I looked upon this train without solar panels, I felt that it was the perfect way to start. I rushed towards the station office, startling an attendant. I pitched the idea to the man, who handed me a piece of paper and a pen to write it down. I noticed the box labeled ‘suggestions box’ behind me. On the paper, I wrote: “Top your trains with solar panels”

After walking back outside, I couldn’t think of anything else to do to help lower our emissions. I walked towards city hall. As I climbed the elevator, I headed into my office. As I took care of the mountainous amount of work laid upon me, I felt unsatisfied that I couldn’t find another way to help our town cut down on emissions. On my lunch break, I headed up to the roof with my sandwich. I looked over the red roofs of the town, glancing at the beautiful Albrechtsburg Castle ahead. After I finished, I headed downstairs to my office. I finished my work, and began unloading a box full of books into my bookshelf. Soon, an empty cardboard box sat on my floor. As I was about to recycle it, an idea suddenly came into my head. I rushed downstairs with both a black marker and the box in hand, almost falling down the staircase. As I strode into the waiting room of town hall, I wrote the familiar words on the box: “SUGGESTION BOX”

The front desk attendant gave me a questioning look as I placed the box on her desk. She flipped the box over and read the words I had written. She gave me a quick grin, and flipped it back over. Over time, people slid inside their suggestions to help our town become climate neutral. Using suggestions, we began planting many trees, we encouraged people to top their homes with solar panels, and more. Together, we can all create a future that we would want both ourselves and our predecessors to visit.

Grades 9-12

Winner: Mary Dillon (Dallas, TX)

Teacher; Beth Burau

Herta Heuwer’s invention of currywurst in Berlin in 1949 marked the beginning of an iconic culinary tradition in Germany. The story of how this simple yet flavorful dish came to be represented the power of street food to capture the essence of a time and place. While I have never tasted currywurst myself, I am familiar with the concept of food serving as a conduit for memory and tradition.

My own family's food traditions may not be as globally renowned as currywurst, but they hold just as much significance for me. Despite not residing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the memories I associate with food are largely centered around this place. Whenever I think of Tulsa, I always think of the food traditions that are important to me and my family.

One tradition involves my grandfather treating us to hotdogs at Coney I-Lander, where the taste of the somewhat rubbery hotdogs doesn't matter as much as the joy of spending time with him. Another cherished tradition revolves around Christmas dinners, where beef tenderloin, my grandfather's famous green beans—which he still insists on making at age 91, —and really good rolls are continuing favorites. These gatherings not only celebrate the holiday but also serve as a testament to the bond shared among family members.

Furthermore, specific occasions like Christmas Eve and Easter bring their own set of food traditions, such as Swedish meatballs, baked apples, ham, fruit salad, and deviled eggs. These dishes not only make our mouths water but also evoke memories of laughter and togetherness.

In addition to family traditions, there are also local foods that hold significance in Tulsa, such as the offerings from Coney I-Lander and Bill and Ruth's Sub Shop. These restaurants have become beloved fixtures in the community, representing more than just food but also a sense of shared identity and belonging. I think my dad and uncles eat at the same barbecue place every day of our visits just because of the variety of dishes and the time spent together.

For me, these food traditions are not just about the flavors but also the connections they foster between generations. They serve as a link to the past, reminding me of the love and warmth shared among family members, particularly my grandparents, who played a significant role in shaping these traditions.

As I transition into adulthood, I recognize the importance of preserving these culinary rituals. Whether it's making apple and gumdrop turkeys for Thanksgiving or baking cutout sugar cookies for Christmas, these traditions serve as a way to honor the legacy of my family and I plant to continue them with my own family for sure.

While I may not have tasted currywurst, the story behind its creation resonates with me as someone who understands the power of food to evoke memories and create lasting traditions. Whether it's a renowned street food or a family recipe passed down through generations, food can bring people together and build a sense of shared identity and belonging.

Honorable Mention

Isabella Ahlum, Calla Cornelius, Max Gamble, Jude Halwani, Felipe Lerena, Bridget Lutz, Ian Magee, Elias Neal, Gonzalo Saenz, Nithin Saranath