Essay winner from Pullen Elementary reads winning entry at Rest Haven Memorial Ceremony
(ROCKWALL, TX – May 30, 2015) Last weekend students took the opportunity to honor troops and first responders at the Carry the Load Memorial Day March.
Fourth graders from Pullen Elementary and their teacher Julie Woodard form a group called Writers for Fighters, who write letters of encouragement and pack goody bags for American soldiers year-round.
At 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning, a group of marathon walkers participating in the national Carry the Load event passed through Rockwall, TX on their way from West Point in New York to Dallas, TX. The Writers for Fighters kids presented them with notes and bags full of treats at the Rockwall Courthouse as a thank you for their service.
“Their efforts are little when compared to who the bags were for,” Woodard said. “Driving rains and blowing winds did little to dampen the spirits of the walkers or the 300 plus in attendance to cheer them on to their last leg. It was a very inspirational and moving time for all who gathered at the Rockwall County Courthouse. All were blessed by the experience.”
Woodard originally founded the Writers for Fighter organization in 2011 as a way to teach her students Social Studies and Language Arts while also giving back to the community. This year, Woodard also encouraged her students to participate in an essay contest presented to the school district by Rest Haven.
The prompt for the essay was “I Will Never Forget: How can I honor those who gave their lives for my freedom?” All RISD elementary schools were invited to select their top three essay entries from their fourth grade classes and submit them to Rest Haven.
Avery Kinsey, one of the students who helped organize the Carry the Load encouragement bag packing, won the contest.
“Avery is a dedicated hard-working girl who has a servant’s heart and does for others,” Woodard said. “She uses actions to serve all kinds of opportunities that she has been provided.”
Avery had the opportunity to read her winning essay aloud at a special Memorial Day Remembrance Celebration at Rest Haven, and received a check for $200 to the Pullen Elementary library. A packed house of veterans and their families were present and reminded to always remember four words: “We will never forget.”
Story by Julie Anne White, Blue Ribbon News reporter. Photos courtesy of Julie Woodard.
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