Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst, was well represented at One Police Plaza in June during the Police Athletic League’s annual “Police Commissioner for a Day” Awards Ceremony. The topic for this year’s essay concerned problems facing youth today.

Rising senior Jenna Fiordimondo won the Major Chief of Department Award for her thought-provoking essay on bullying, which ranked third out of the 2,000 entries. She chose to address this problem because it happens so frequently and is painful for the person being bullied.

“I felt that it is important to have school programs addressing this issue which would include reenactments enforcing positive behavior and attitudes,” Fiordimondo said. She was also concerned about the reaction of bystanders who encourage bullies instead of trying to stop them.

After the ceremony, Jenna and her mother, Maria, visited the 13th floor to meet the people working in the chief’s office and then joined other essay winners on a tour of lower Manhattan on the police boat.

Three other Kearney women were also honored that morning for their views on problems that today’s youth are facing. Rising senior Emma Schoppmeyer won the Bureau Chief Award – Detectives for her essay on social media and how it acts as a barrier for human connection and communication.

Rising sophomore Caitlyn Marino picked cyber bullying as her topic and received the 66th Precinct Commander Award. Rising sophomore Marie Holstrom received the 63rd Precinct Commander Award for her essay on the problems caused by underage drinking and drugging.