WESTPORT–Marty Erdheim has been named the winner of the 2026 Jackie Robinson Essay Contest, which was sponsored by The Westport Library, the Westport Center for Senior Activities, and Meryl Moss Media. Mark Rosenblatt, Tobias Slavin, and AJ Battesby were also recognized as top finishers.

Now in its second year, the contest is a signature program of the library’s Common Ground Initiative, inviting participants to reflect on Robinson’s legacy. This year’s theme, “Dear Jackie Robinson,” challenged participants to compose a personal letter to Robinson, exploring how his courage, dignity, and perseverance continue to shape their lives.

Erdheim earned first place for his deeply personal submission that bridged generations. As the winner, Erdheim received four tickets to a New York Mets game in April, including VIP parking, along with additional commemorative items.

Rosenblatt was awarded second place for his powerful letter, receiving two tickets to the Jackie Robinson Museum and a $100 gift certificate. Slavin earned third place and will receive a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers yearbook. Battesby, as a finalist, will receive a commemorative 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers stamp collection.

“What stood out this year was not just the quality of the writing, but the depth of reflection and the willingness of participants to engage across generations,” said Bill Harmer, executive director of The Westport Library. “These essays show that Jackie Robinson’s legacy is not something we simply remember. It lives in how we treat one another and how we choose to show up in the world.”

This year’s submissions reflected a wide range of voices and experiences, unified by a shared respect for Robinson’s role in advancing equality and expanding opportunity.

“We saw something really special in this year’s entries,” said Wendy Petty, Director of the Westport Center for Senior Activities. “There was a genuine sense of connection in the writing. In many cases, it felt like a conversation across generations. That is what makes this program so meaningful.”

Winners were recognized as part of the library’s Jackie Robinson Day programming on April 15, honoring Robinson’s historic debut in Major League Baseball in 1947.

Playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947, becoming the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era. He went on to a Hall of Fame career that included more than 1,500 hits, 137 home runs, and 197 stolen bases.

Robinson later became the first African American to hold an officer-level position at a major corporation, served as an advisor to politicians, promoted economic empowerment by co-founding a bank and a housing development company, and was a key figure in advancing equal justice.

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