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The personal statements that two Largo High School seniors wrote in July at a school retreat developed into two winning essays less than six months later.

Largo High School seniors Fortune Ihekweme, 17, of Upper Marlboro and Ben McKinzie Jr., 17, of Clinton were selected as recent winners of the 3Ds to Succeed essay contest, sponsored by Washington Wizards' basketball player Caron Butler.

In July, Ihekweme and McKinzie joined nearly 40 other peer leaders in the school's College Summit program, a national program that works to raise college enrollment rates, helps students with the college process and teaches them how to be peer leaders. Upon completing the program, the students help their peers with college applications, essays, resumes and transcripts.

After learning about the essay contest from a College Summit teacher at their school this fall, Ihekweme and McKinzie refined their personal statements into one- and two-page essays for the contest, writing about how they have used the three "D"s — determination, dedication and discipline — to accomplish their goals.

Ihekweme's essay was one of two essays selected in December, and McKinzie's was one of two in January.

McKinzie's essay focused on the struggles of a being a type one diabetic while being a track athlete since being diagnosed in April 2008.

"It was hard to keep my blood sugars up [and run track] — I had to learn to overcome it," he said.

Ihekweme said his personal statement turned essay taught him about his own inner strength.

"I learned a lot about myself — how I'm hardworking, that being diverse is really good," said Ihekweme, whose essay was on his family's asylum from Nigeria. "[In Nigeria] there wasn't a lot of food or electricity. I learned to take advantage of what you have. To know your goal and have pathways to your goals."

The essay contest, developed by Butler, is in its third year, said Danielle Dryer, a Washington Wizards spokeswoman. The goal of the program is to motivate middle and high school students in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia to use determination, dedication and discipline to succeed in any circumstance and situation. The contest recognizes students who have used those three principles to build character, overcome hardships and succeed.

Essay contest winners receive four tickets to a Wizards game, have a short DVD interview played at halftime that tells their story, and get to meet Butler.

Dryer said Ihekweme's and McKinzie's essays were selected by a panel of about five people. The number of essays the program receives each month varies from 10 to 50.

"Caron wants to motivate more kids who might be having a hard time," Dryer said. "He wants to motivate more kids to do that like he has."

Largo High School Principal Angelique Simpson-Marcus said the winning essays speak about the students' hard work and dedication.

"They have the three "D"s — I see it every day. I'm not surprised by them winning," she said.