PROUD TO BE FROM POTTSTOWN – PART II

 (This is the second of a series of excerpts from student writings submitted to the annual McDonald’s Writing           Contest)

 Pottstown School District conducted its annual writing award contest sponsored by the local McDonald’s restaurants.  Students from kindergarten through eighth grade competed in the annual essay contest which this year had as its theme “Proud to be from Pottstown.”  Students expressed their pride in their town, school, their friends, teachers, parents, and themselves.

Rupert Elementary Principal Matt Moyer, who serves as the coordinator of the annual event, said, “Our partnership with the McDonald’s restaurants has helped our students develop a greater understanding of writing techniques and has given them reason to do thoughtful thinking.  This year’s topic allowed students the ability to show why they are proud of their home town.”

Marcia Graham, speaking on behalf of herself and her husband Bruce who are the owner/operators of the local McDonald’s restaurants, said, “We are always energized by reading the student essays and are glad to play a small role in helping to develop the skills that they will need to become successful adults.  Their expressions of pride in our community reaffirm our belief that we are proud to be from Pottstown.”

The following are the expressions of “Pottstown Pride” from students in second and third grade:

·        Yameen Rahim – Barth Grade 2 – I am extremely proud because at Barth we work as a team to take care of each other and we motivate each other.

·        Christinna Longenecker – Barth Grade 3 – I take pride in Pottstown and you should too.  I take pride in my town, my school, and myself.  At the senior center, elderly people are safe.  It makes me very happy to see their smiling faces.  At Barth I walk in the door and feel that every day will be successful.  I take pride in myself by keeping my neighborhood clean.  When I go outside, I remove litter from the yards and park.  I take pride in myself because I help people.

·        Jack Engleman – Edgewood Grade 3 – The citizens of Pottstown should be proud of their town.  The Pottstown School District is 133 years old which makes it one of the oldest in Pennsylvania.  I’m proud of some of the people that graduated from Pottstown High School like Lionel Douglass who was part of the television program “Sesame Street,” Robert Davidheiser made background music for Disney World, and Robert Shantz who was a pitcher for the New York Yankees and helped them win their first World Series Championship.  The steel from the Golden Gate Bridge, which is one of the most popular bridges in America, came from Pottstown and Pottsgrove Manor does great things for the community and tells about the history of our town.

·        Kaela Auman – Franklin Grade 2 – We have a big volleyball tournament at Memorial Park every year. 

·        Akira Love – Franklin Grade 3 – We have a fantastic community, wonderful schools, and terrific people.  Our police are always there to protect us.  In school, our gym teacher Mr. Fabian makes up fun games for us to play that are exciting and enjoyable.  My experiences in Pottstown have really helped me to become a fantastic person.  You should take some time and visit us here at Pottstown and see our wonderful community, fantastic schools, and terrific people.

·        Jedi Buting –Lincoln Grade 2 – Our class is like a colorful wall of friendship.  In Pottstown our schools are filled with kids who have different imaginations, minds, and sizes.  We are not all the same and we learn together in peace.

·        Jayniana Williams – Lincoln Grade 3 – Have you ever been to a place where friendships are built and people work together?  Well, I have.  My community is a great place to be.  I am proud of my community.  There are great parks, wonderful people, and terrific places to eat.  During the winter when you are playing in a park with your friends in a white blanket of snow, nature’s picture show looks very beautiful.  Everyone in my community is generous and tries their hardest every day to be the best they can be.

·        Abigail Eagle – Rupert Grade 2 – I’m proud of the doctors that save our lives every day.  I’m proud of myself for doing a food drive.  I feel good for doing that.  I collected canned foods that went to orphans.               ·  Gabriel Roseo – Rupert Grade 3 – I’m proud of what we do for the Relay for Life.  The thought that while I’m walking on the track knowing that I’m helping find a cure for cancer makes me feel honored.  Art classes at ArtFusion are fun and my favorite thing to do after school.  I’m proud of being a swimmer because it takes hard work and exercise and I’m willing to do it because I love it.