by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Three fifth-graders at Kennedy Community School have been honored as runners-up in the United Way “Live United” Essay Contest.
The students are Ellie Barnes, Cayley Ehlert and Samuel Kloss. They are three of the 14 area-wide students named as runners-up in the contest, for which 350 essays were received from throughout central Minnesota. Each will receive a $75 VISA gift card.
The grand-prize winner was Breanna Stueve, a student at All Saints Academy, St. Cloud. She received a $200 VISA gift card.
About two months ago, United Way of Central Minnesota partnered with US Bank and Times Media to sponsor the contest for fifth-graders. Each student was asked to describe in a short essay how they, personally, “Live United.”
The following are the winning essays:
Ellie Barnes:
“Hi, my name is Ellie. I live united by helping my neighbor, Marce. Marce is 87 years old. She has one big fat cat. I weed her garden. I brush her cat. I shovel her snow. I bake her goodies. Me and my sister go caroling at her house. I rake her yard and mow her lawn. I plant her flowers. I feed her outside fish. Sometimes I get her clothes like a new flower top with some blue jeans. I love her so much. Having her as a neighbor and friend is the best payment of all.”
Cayley Ehlert:
“I live united by helping others and helping when people are having a bad day, or if they’re getting bullied. Another way how I help is when people need help or when a new person comes to my school. I help them make friends. I also like to help people with groceries or by helping teachers in their classroom. So if you see someone that needs help, I say “Go help.” I love helping my mom clean the house. I help my parents all the time and so can you!”
Samuel Kloss:
“I have noticed my parents help people. Dad is in the Army. He helps to keep us safe. Mom takes care of grandma. Mom and Dad are always happy to help. I wanted to do something too. I went around my neighborhood and asked if anyone needed help with anything. I have older neighbors who have trouble working outside. I cut grass, weed, shovel and rake for them. I don’t ask for anything, seeing people happy is enough. I think to live united we have to be kind to others. I live united by helping people in my community.”
Breanna Stueve:
“Hello! My name is Breanna. I live united by collecting food for the food shelf in my great-uncle Randy’s name. He died of cancer. Every year my family and I collect 8,000-10,000 pounds of food and cash donations in his memory to feed the hungry. I also use my allowance to fill two boxes with personal items and toys for ‘Operation Christmas Child’ for kids in need around the world. Helping others fills my heart with love and joy! If everyone did one thing to help those in need, we could make the world live united.”
Ellie Barnes
Cayley Ehlert
Samuel Kloss
