PROUD TO BE FROM POTTSTOWN – PART III

 (This is the third 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 fourth and fifth grades:

·        Hadaysha Rivera – Barth Grade 4 – I am proud of my school because they are like another family to me.  Pottstown has special places like the Ricketts Center and the hospital.  Another special place to me in Pottstown is the Red Cross.  When the Westford Apartments caught fire last year, they were the ones to help me and my family.

·        Brea Corbin – Edgewood Grade 4 – I am proud of myself for giving fifty cents to Hurricane Sandy Relief and helping charities like Jump Rope for Heart.  I like the stores in Pottstown.  My favorite restaurant is Argento’s.  I want to help Pottstown, my school, and my community.  I am proud to be training at the YMCA for gymnastics, Zumba, and yoga.  In my home, I want to be a better child and in school a better student.

·        Kaylin Lascik – Franklin Grade 4 – Pottstown has beautiful nature.  You should see the nature some time.  Pottstown has green areas and parks.  The parks are full of trees and flowers.  Streets are lined with trees.  Pottstown has a community garden.  You should see Pottstown as a beautiful green town.

·        Phillip Shiffler – Franklin Grade 5 – One of the great qualities of Pottstown is their parades.  The parades include Halloween, the 4th of July, and Memorial Day.  Our schools in Pottstown have some of the best teachers and most enjoyable activities.  Every year our schools have Fall Fest, Spring Fling, North End Pool trip, and many more activities and field trips throughout the year.

·        Raymond Long – Lincoln Grade 4 – There are so many thoughtful people in my town.  I know a vast amount of people.  A lot of them are very, very nice.  I always see people outside sweeping and lawn mowing for others.  That is the type of kindness I am talking about.  I am also proud of myself.  I strive to improve Pottstown.  I feel that I am a grand resident and citizen of Pottstown.  I donate clothes and money to charities.

·        Evan DeBlase – Lincoln Grade 5 – The Very Best is a hotdog place with very good hotdogs.  My teacher’s opinion is that they have the best hotdogs in the world.  I haven’t been there yet but I hope I will be able to some day.  I wonder if they have a secret ingredient in their hotdogs.

·        Kameryn Herpich – Rupert Grade 4 – I show pride in my community by being on safety patrol and helping first graders get on the bus safely.  I take pride in being a safety because I got picked out of a lot of students.  I also take pride in good quality schools in Pottstown.  I show pride in myself by holding my head high when I get an A on a test and work hard on my school work.  It is important to have pride in at least one thing that you do.  Different people show pride in different things.

·        Zelias Bray – Rupert Grade 5 – I am proud of myself because I caught a fish with my bare hands.  I am also proud of myself because I got on honor roll for the first time.  I am proud to have a good family.  When I was sick, my family was there to take care of me.  I am also proud that I am a good friend.  When my friends need help carrying their instruments, I am there to help them.