Students ‘Make a Difference’
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:07 AM PDT
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| St. Peter Catholic School held an essay and poster contest for ‘Make a Difference Day,’ which was Saturday. Sydney Holderman was the first-place winner in the K-4 class with this poster. |
ONTARIO — St. Peter Catholic School, Ontario, recently held an essay and poster contest for “Make a Difference Day: the national day to help others.” Sydney Holderman placed first and Luke Barinaga second in the K-4 poster contest.
K-5
First place, “Recycling,” by Jaden Martinez: “I can make a difference in the world by recycling all the bottles.”
Second place, “Teaching,” by Daniel Buzzard: “I can make a difference in the world by teaching kids who have no school to go to.”
First grade
First place, “I Can Make a Difference,” by Alex Aguilar: “I can make a difference in the world by saving water and not wasting water. Then there will be enough for others. I can also make a difference by recycling, and reusing things like paper and not being wasteful. I can make a difference by showing God’s love to everyone.”
Second place, “I Can Make a Difference,” by Ruben Hernandez: “I can make a difference in the world by cleaning up the park and picking up all the garbage that people have left behind. If I see someone throw garbage on the ground, I can ask them to pick it up please. I can make a difference by knowing and serving God.”
Second grade
First place, “I can Make a Difference,” by Marcus Barinaga: “I can make a difference in the world by doing what God wants me to do. I can make the world a better place by setting a good example, by being a good role model and doing the right thing. I can help others by being a responsible person and respecting other people. I can make a difference. These are ways I make the world a better place.”
Second place, “Making a Difference,” by Ben Grimaldo: “I can make a difference in my community by picking up garbage in the park. I should help the community by not being wasteful. We should all go green and never waste water.”
Third grade
First place, “Making a Difference,” by Jasmine Grijalva: “I can make a difference by not littering and putting garbage in the garbage can. I can water the plants and the trees. I can also recycle plastic. I can ride my bike to reduce pollution. I can also recycle paper and reuse it in a different way. We can carpool to work and to school to stop polluting. We can make a difference by not wasting food and giving food to the poor.”
Second place, “Making a Difference,” by Alexis Navarrete: “Hi, my name is Alexis Navarrete. I am the oldest child in my family. I try to be a good person around my family and everywhere else.
“I go to church almost every Sunday. I try to help out at my school and at church as much as I can. I think if everybody took a little time in each day to do something nice for someone else, this world would be a better place to live. Recycle what you need and share things with everybody.”
Fourth grade
First place, “My Step-Dad,” by Adrian Mendoza: “Sergio Barrera is a good person in my life. He supports me in everything. He is always at my games for soccer and baseball. One time, Sergio was late and it was the end of the game. So he watched us win the game.
“He also helps me with homework. Every time I am stuck on a problem, he shows me how to solve it.
“Also, he just doesn’t help me with homework, but other things like teaching me how to work on the tractor. Since he tore his rotator cuff, the ground is dry and hard. Therefore, I asked him if I could work it with the tractor. He said yes.
“My favorite thing to do is ride horses. He taught me to ride them.
“Every time I do something wrong, he shows me how to do it right. In all, my step-dad makes an amazing difference in my life.”
Second place, “My Dad, He Makes the Difference,” by Jessica Jagelski: “My Dad is a lawyer. He does many things for the community, me, and my family.
“People come to my Dad for help. My favorite problem that he solved and the only problem that I know is this: A man asked his neighbor if he would feed his cows for the winter and he would pay him. Then the neighbor paid only half of the money he agreed to. The neighbor came to my Dad. My Dad helped him get all of his money.
“My Dad works allot but he always has time for me. We go fishing and hunting together. He taught me how ‘to keep quiet’ when walking on rocks. ‘To keep quiet’ you put your heels and your toe down slowly. Last month, we got so close to shooting a deer with my Dad. He made a difference to me because it was my first time deer hunting.
“In addition to helping me, my Dad provides for our family. He makes breakfast every morning. His popcorn is the best. He cooks it over the stove with butter and salt. My favorite thing to do at night is to eat his popcorn and play games. It wouldn’t be the same without HIS popcorn. His popcorn makes the difference for our family gatherings.
“My Dad is fun. He thinks I’m writing this paper about the food bank. He will laugh when he finds out it is about him. I am lucky to have a Dad like him. He makes all the difference.”
Fifth grade
First place, “Making a difference: My Grandma,” by Mitchell Griffin: “My Grandma has changed the lives of many in good way. She has helped people with reading, writing, and anything else they need help with.
“In 4th grade, she came in and helped us with writing paragraphs. She taught us by giving us topics; such as: cats, birds, bears, dogs, lizards, and flowers.
“Grandma has taken care of me and Isaac allot. One of the many things she’s done for me was when I was about six; she took care of me when I had a bad case of the flu. She did all she could to help.
“Another thing Grandma does is help some of the children in 2nd and 3rd grade. She’s even taught for 31 years! So think of all she’s helped!
“She taught me to read when I was 5. I see her help people all the time. From helping me with homework to teaching, she’s been there for many, especially our family.
“So, as you can see, Grandma has taken care of me and Isaac, helped many, and has changed the lives of all she’s met. Clearly my Grandma is a woman of good deeds and kindness.”
Second place, “Making a Difference,” by Ben Hart: “Today I’m going to talk about a very caring woman. Her name is Mary Kay Collins, but I call her Grandma. She has been the volunteer librarian at St. Peter for as long as I can remember. Even when none of her grandchildren went there she still helped.
“When we go to her house after school, she asks us what we did at school. She loves to help us understand God and his glorious power a little more — every time we see her.
“When we’re in the library, she helps us choose books that will improve our reading skills. She also volunteers for other things, such as, teaching pottery to kids and helping at the food bank. I remember helping stack the food on the big shelves. It was so fun putting the jello away! I also remember every time I went to the library, she’d ask me why I didn’t get a book. I always told her I was already reading a book, but she still asked over and over. I got used to it.
“Last year, we made clay sheep with my Grandma for the Wine and Arts Festival. She helped us form the head, body, and features. She told us no matter what, they would all be beautiful! She was very helpful to those who were struggling.
“By volunteering with her time, talent, and treasure, my Grandma has set an example for the next generation! I love my Grandma and many others to too. I hope you can see the difference she’s made.”
