Holyoke Elementary School fourth graders, some dressed as their favorite book characters, await results on Thursday, March 2, from the Jolly Dozen Family and Community Education group’s essay contest. — Andrew Turck | The Holyoke Enterprise
Third-place winner Adley Kurtzer of Haxtun, left, stands with Jolly Dozen member Peggy Davis. — Candie Fix | Haxtun-Fleming Herald
Jolly Dozen members Peggy Davis, far left, and Helen Murray, far right, pose with Holyoke’s fourth-grade victors for the essay contest. Pictured in the middle left is first-place winner Taisley Rosane and, to the right of her, second-place winner Haeden Daniel. — Andrew Turck | The Holyoke Enterprise
Kids on ‘Caring’
Every year, the Jolly Dozen Family and Community Education group in Phillips County hosts an essay and artwork contest for fourth grade students in Haxtun and Holyoke. The theme of this year’s contest is “Caring,” one of the six pillars of character. Students are required to write an essay on the topic and create a hand-drawn picture.
The FCE’s nationwide contest provides opportunity for students to improve literacy skills and develop ethical values.
This year, from Holyoke, Taisley Rosane won first place and Haeden Daniel earned second. Haxtun’s Adley Kurtzer took third-place honors. Each student in both fourth grade classrooms received a book from the Jolly Dozen group and top winners earn cash prizes as well as the opportunity to compete at the State level.
Their entries are as follows:
Life’s blessing
By Taisley Rosane
Have you ever witnessed an act of pure kindness? One day when I was at the store, I saw a man help pay for a family’s groceries when they were checking out and didn’t have enough money to cover the total cost. It was a day I will always remember. An act of pure kindness makes both people happy because it shows a caring spirit.
It is hard to tell when someone might be facing a hardship in their life. Someone could have lost their job or hand an unexpected bill to pay without having the money to do it. And with the prices of food and other thing going up, it can make things even harder on people.
Luckily, this man was behind this family in the checkout line and was able to help them out in this situation. He showed a lot of compassion and selflessness when he gave up some of his own money to help them pay for their groceries. This man truly cares about other people. He was an example to me.
It is nice to see people help each other out when they are able to. There are probably many times a day that we can show people that we care about them if we pay attention and help out when we can.
I will never forget the look of fear and sadness on that family’s faces when they couldn’t pay the total due. And I will also never forget the look of relief and the thankfulness that was shown when the man offered to pay. He really saved the day and showed that he cared by helping this family buy their groceries that day. He performed an act of pure kindness that probably made both people happy because he showed a caring spirit
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