The Timber Pines Educators Club and the Military Veterans of Timber Pines, with the support of the Hernando County School Board, sponsored an essay contest for 7th grade students with the topic, “What Memorial Day Means to Me.” School Board Member Mark Johnson explained that the Educators Club read through the submissions and selected ten essays for final consideration, while the Military Veterans determined the winners.
First place was awarded to Alexandria Valdsiotis of Powell Middle School. Second Place went to Brook Anderson of Winding Waters K8, and Adrianna Hill of Winding Waters K8 received the third place award. All winners received a certificate, an American flag and a monetary award of $100, $50, or $25. The essayists read their submissions before approximately 700 residents at the Timber Pines Memorial Day tribute.
Military Veterans Club committee relations chair Burt Amos explained that the idea behind the contest was to reach out to the community. Amos stated that when the club reviewed the essays, they were amazed at the quality of writing from the students.
The club, though fairly new, has been growing and includes twelve World War II service members. Four veterans had the opportunity to speak at Winding Waters K8 to discuss their experiences during the wars in which they served, from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Amos stated that Social Studies teacher Michael Cooper has been supportive as well. An initiative for the next school year is to have students videotape interviews with veterans, since it was recognized that they need to preserve those experiences as living history lessons.