American Red Cross - Muskingum Lakes Chapter

The Red Cross received hundreds of writing contest entries from Carroll, Harrison and Tuscarawas county youth. As part Hometown Heroes’ Campaign, the youth writing contest presented by The Times Reporter, featured drawings, essays, short stories and poetry. Each winner received a $100.00 savings bond and a certificate of achievement.

The Hero Writing Contest winners along with segments of their essays:

Kacie Fisher, Claymont Trenton Avenue, Grade 2 – A hero I know

Fisher’s illustration titled, “My Hero” is of her mother flying in the sky. Fisher states on her artwork, “My mother is my hero because she loves me.”

Derrek Miller, New Phila South Elementary, Grade 2 – A hero I know

Miller’s drawing was titled “SUPER PAPA.” The drawing was a representation of his father dressed in a superman like costume with the American Flag in the background.

Gracen Gerbig, Dover East Elementary, Grade 4 – Hero in my family

For Gerbig, her grandmother is her hero, someone she can look up to. In the essay she states that not only does her grandmother make cookies, but she shares her love with other people as well. “Grandma works at her church’s homeless shelter helping families without a place to live,” says Gerbig. “Grandma finds coats to give to mothers, fathers, and children. She cooks food for the children in the kitchen and spends the night with them and comforts them during a storm. She even teaches the girls how to sew.” Gerbig notes that by watching her grandma’s actions she has learned how to be a good adult and respect others.

Abbie Dennison, Immaculate Conception, Grade 5 – Hero in my family

“Many people daydream of being a hero. To me a hero must be persistent, courageous, selfless, and fun to be around. To me this hero is my Dad.” said Dennison. “My dad is a very generous person…volunteering his time at local charities…always putting others first before himself.” Dennison’s dad has taught her to put God first in her life and that honesty and taking accountability for ones actions are very important in being successful in life. Referring to her dad’s struggles with Chrohn’s disease Dennison says, “My dad is many things to me, but most important he is courageous and brave. My dad fought hard and recovered from his sickness. I find strength to help him fight and get better. He is a positive influence in my life.”

Samantha Gillig, Harrison Jr. High School, Grade 7 – Who are our future heroes?

“Hero, the word means different things to different people. To some people a hero is someone who is brave and saves people’s lives, like a fireman,” says Gillig. “Other people would say it is a celebrity or sports star that they look up to. I believe that a hero is someone who is not afraid to do what is right and stand up for what they believe. So, when asked who I think our future heroes are I would say, the children who care about the feelings of others.”

Donald Clum, Immaculate Conception, Grade 8 – Who are our future heroes?

In Clum’s essay he believes that our future heroes are those who literally give of themselves to others, donors. “I think anyone can be a hero, but the people I respect the most as heroes are organ donors. You may save a child’s life or maybe a young adult. No matter what the age…as long as you are giving someone a second chance.” Just one kidney can help save the life of the recipient. Clum also sees those individual that donate bone marrow as heroes. “If you ask me who are our future heroes, the response will be donors, they are truly heroic in what they do.”

Austin Wood, New Phila High School, Grade 10 – An imaginary conversation between two heroes, past or present

“If I were to choose two American heroes to bring together at a time, they would be Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King,” says Wood. He states that both men were extra ordinary human beings with great leadership ability. They had a common understanding of what was best for our country and their fellow man. In the essay Wood stages a conversation where Jefferson would ask Mr. King, what exactly is your dream? Wood says that Mr. King’s reply would no doubt be, “well I want equality for all, with no racial discrimination.” “I want people to be recognized for who and what they stand for and not the color of their skin.” Jefferson’s response was, “Ah, yes, the American dream, but it is liberty and justice for all that I so desperately crave. I want to see and help our nation be free so that every American can live as they dream.”

Allie McKnight, New Phila High School, Grade 10 – An imaginary conversation between two heroes, past or present

In Allie’s imaginary conversation she places Victoria Woodhull, first women to run for the office of President of the United States, in a room waiting for her meeting with Hilary Clinton. As Woodhull sits in the waiting room she flips through the Wall Street Journal and sees a picture of Clinton who she sees has a chance at becoming the first woman president. “Well there is most certainly a large change to be seen,” says Woodhull. “To imagine that in eighty years people would be living the way that they do.” The conversation continued about how far women have come today. Then Clinton says to Hull, “I must say that you are quite inspirational. Your ideas of free love and woman’s suffrage were so much before your time. It is so applaudable what you have done the barriers that you forcefully helped in breaking.”

Area students responded with original, thought-provoking artwork and stories about heroes of the past, present and future. The contest was open to all students, grades K-12.

The American Red Cross believes that today’s youth will be tomorrow’s heroes. “By embracing our local youth, we are encouraging acts of heroism for the future,” says Linda Egler, Hometown Heroes’ Chair. “These individuals will be the future leaders of our community.”

The Hometown Heroes banquet will be replayed on PCM Channel 2 on April 4 at 8:00 p.m. and on April 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Serving Tuscarawas, Carroll and Harrison counties, the Muskingum Lakes Chapter is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. For more information on Red Cross visit www.mlcredcross.org