Three eighth-graders at Oxford Middle School were named the local winners of the 35th annual ‘America and Me Essay Contest.?
Sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance, the topic of the 2003-04 essay contest was ‘My American Hero.?
Shalyn Weemaes earned first place with her touching essay about best friend Jared Sturgess, who’s battle with cancer inspired her and taught her valuable life lessons.
‘Jared Sturgess has shown me that no matter what comes along in this long, unpredictable road of life, with strength and faith you will get through it, you can deal with it and you will be okay,? Weemaes wrote in her winning essay. ‘He has really changed my whole life around. I have learned to fully rely on God. I’m a totally different person because of him . . . I love, respect and truly cherish Jared, my everything, my best friend, my American Hero.?
As the school’s first place winner, Weemaes? name will be engraved on a plaque for permanent display at the middle school. Her essay advanced to the state level competition.
Winning second place was Kera Whaley with an essay recounting how her late grandfather once saved her little brother’s life.
‘He ran to my brother’s side and cradled him in his arms ? rocking back and forth, praying to God, asking him to let my brother wake up. A moment of silence. My grandfather screamed, ‘Don’t let my grandson die!? The propane gas began to burn my grandfather’s arms Then, a smile rose on my grandfather’s face as my brother’s chest moved. My grandfather took my brother to the bathroom and started washing off the propane. I held Chad on the couch for a while . . . ‘It is ok,? I said, ‘grandpa saved you. He is our hero,?? Whaley wrote.
Samantha Kraska finished third with her essay honoring civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, who in 1955 inspired others by refusing to give up her seat on a public bus to a white person.
‘The police arrive . . . Rosa is put into the car. Before she’s taken away, she looks back. A single hot tear falls down her cheek. Whether from anger or sorrow, she doesn’t decide. She knows that this must end,? Kraska wrote.
Receiving honorable mentions for their essays were eighth-graders Chandler Macocha, Erin Sandy, Kyle Brammer, Kourtney Kadrich, Taylor Roop, Alyssa McTaggart and Caroline Moon.