By Leah Hobbs

Isla Rodriguez, 10, is an inspiration.

The fifth-grader at William Fox Elementary School in Richmond plays the alto saxophone in the school band, initiated her family’s recycling efforts with mother Holly and father Enrique and has grown up attending rallies and meetings with her parents supporting immigration law reform and the Black Lives Matter movement.

The youngster, who loves to read, play Minecraft and participate in Junior Girl Scouts, has been recognized for another talent — writing.

Isla was named the Virginia winner of the Library of Congress’ 2016 “A Book That Shaped Me” Summer Writing Contest. Her essay on the trilogy “March” by civil rights icon and U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia was chosen as tops among submissions through participating public libraries throughout the state.

“I am not surprised at all that her essay was selected,” said Daniela Jacobs, principal of Fox Elementary.

“Isla is a voracious reader who possesses one of those personalities that you will never forget. Her inner voice is amazing, and I am certain that this young lady will go on to do great things in life and make a large impact on everyone she meets.”

The “March” books are used in schools across the nation to teach youngsters about the Civil Rights Movement. Using comic-style graphics, Rep. Lewis shares his memories of the movement, including his work as head of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and student sit-ins, bus boycotts and the infamous 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., known as “Bloody Sunday,” where he was among the scores of people beaten and injured.

“The book made me feel the pain of the people who suffered in the movement and changed the way I see the world,” the youngster wrote in her essay. “I used to just see everyday life, but now I often see history.”

When Isla talks about the book, said her mother, Holly Rodriguez, she warns people that it is “quite intense.” Still, it is one of Isla’s favorite books. She has read it several times.

Isla received a medal, two certificates and two gift card prizes during a national awards presentation Sept. 24 at the Library of Congress’ 2016 National Book Festival in Washington.

Even more exciting, Isla got to meet Congressman Lewis, who spoke at the festival.

After the ceremony ended, she gave him a copy of her essay. He signed two of her books and invited her to return to Washington to join him on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The book and its author have had a clear impact on the youngster, who said she wants to be a civil rights attorney.

“I would like to be a civil rights activist,” Isla told the Free Press. “If I see where someone is being treated unfairly, I will help them.”

At 8, she signed the Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond’s anti-racism pledge.

“She is quite aware of social justice,” Mrs. Rodriguez said. “She is quite concerned about peace, kindness and fairness in the world.”

Winning the award helped Isla realize her skills as a writer. It also has motivated her to continue.

“She is an achiever and a very confident writer. She can read a book on any given day. It’s like breathing to her,” said Sally Miller, who taught Isla last year in fourth grade.

Mrs. Miller described Isla as delightful and very outgoing.

“Reading about a more difficult topic is awesome and inspiring,” she said. “I tell my students you can always be a winner when you enter a writing contest because your writing is yourself. You have a voice.”

The youngster submitted her winning essay as part of the summer reading program at the Ginter Park Library. Essays were judged on content, structure and creativity. Members of the American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association, judged the contest.

The grand prize round selected state and grand prize winners from the pool of state finalists. The Library of Congress assembled a panel of educators, children’s authors and Library of Congress staff to judge the grand prize round.

Author Jason Reynolds, a recipient of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent, was this year’s guest judge and a presenter at the National Book Festival.