For the sixth annual essay contest, sponsored by Greater Twin Cities United Way and the Star Tribune, we asked elementary school students what they've done to make their communities better. They responded — by the hundreds.
Students in grades three through five from the Twin Cities and beyond shared personal stories about the actions they've taken — large and small — to help their friends and families, neighborhoods, classrooms and communities.
These weren't pie-in-the-sky ideas, but real acts of kindness, compassion and understanding. Whether it's taking on a bully, raising money by putting on a play, or collecting toys, books or winter clothing for those without, the essays demonstrated that all of the students who entered are winners.
Since we had to narrow that number down to 10, we chose Marcos Odegard as our first-place winner. Marcos, who wrote with insight and humor about being a "living bridge" between two very disparate communities, will receive a $500 Visa gift card from U.S. Bancorp. The nine runners-up — Sophia Anderson, Lauren Downham, Suhuur Dualeh, Maryeva Gonzalez, Samantha Lee, Callidora Muonio, Willem Nelsen, William Rosin and Jaiden Williams — will each receive a $100 Visa gift card.
First place: Marcos Odegard, 8, Grade 3, Nova Classical Academy, St. Paul
I am a "living bridge." My dad is from Minnesota and my mom is from Costa Rica. Also, my dad is Lutheran and my mom is Catholic. When I'm sitting in my Lutheran church, I'm a bridge to Catholic immigrants, and when I'm in Spanish mass, I'm a bridge to Norwegian Lutherans. I unite my two families by speaking English and Spanish. As a living bridge, I unite people who don't usually like each other because they don't really know each other that well. Unfortunately, you'll have to find another kid to unite the Vikings and the Packers.
Runners-up
Callidora Muonio, 8, Grade 3, Minnesota Virtual Academy, Oak Grove, Minn.
I do community service through something I love, dance. I'm in two performance teams: clogging and jazz hip-hop. We dance to raise money for Hope 4 Youth, Pay It Forward, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Alexandra House, and the food shelf. I work hardest for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society since my grandpa died because of lymphoma. We also dance for two nursing homes. There was a man who liked a dance so much he got up and danced too. It made me happy. There are many ways to do community service, but dance fits me best.
Suhuur Dualeh, 8, Grade 3, Learning for Leadership Charter School, Minneapolis
As a family, we love to help our neighbors, especially in the winter time. We have shovels, jumper starters, tow ropes, and a 4 X 4 truck to pull cars that get stuck in the snow. One day, my Dad and I went to visit a family who came from Africa and we went to donate clothes and shoes. I also gave them all of my toys and in the spring, my brother, my sister and I cleaned up trash at the park, on the streets, and in our neighbors' back yards. We never ask people to pay us for anything because people may not have the money to pay us and it also feels nice to just help others in our neighborhood and that is how we help our community live united.
Maryeva Gonzalez, 10, Grade 4, Visitation, Lakeville
I united people by sharing my love of books. I know some kids don't have any books. I wanted to change that for kids at the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. When I visited, there were no kids' books in the play area or library. I made a flier and asked my friends and neighbors if they had any kids books to donate. I collected a total of 140 books. I felt happy that everyone worked together to make the community better. I hope lots of kids read the books and learn to love to read just like me.
Sophia Anderson, 9, Grade 4, Homeschool/Voyager Elementary, Alexandria, Minn.
You can volunteer at the Humane Society!
Here I am. I hear voices I don't understand. Steel bars opening and closing, over and over again. Slam, slam, slam … Dogs barking, hissing in every jail cell, fingers poking at me every once in a while. I'm all alone, but not really. There are hundreds of eyes just like mine staring right back at me. I'm a cat at the Humane Society.
Luckily for this cat, and many others, their stay is brightened. I bring toys every week that I make by hand, such as fleece catnip mice. And during the holidays, I make sure each one has extra-special treats.
Samantha Lee, 9, Grade 4, Partnership Academy, Richfield
At school one day, my friend was being bullied and I had to decide what to do. Should I do something and take action or should I do nothing and remain silent? I decided to act. A classmate of mine was being bullied and I told the bully to stop or I would tell the teacher. It worked, the bully stopped! I was taught that one person can make a difference and everyone should try. I helped my friend. So can you! Take an action to make your world better. Everyone will be happy you did.
Jaiden Williams, 11, Grade 5, Echo Park Elementary, Farmington
Have you ever felt like you were saving kids and people from getting hurt? I know I do. I was selected as a 5th grade elementary school crossing guard. A crossing guard helps kids and parents safely across the streets near school. As a patrol, I learn about safety rules, leadership, teamwork, respect for law enforcement and citizenship. Being a crossing guard is a huge responsibility. You can't goof around, or someone could get seriously hurt. I know I am doing a small thing, but it is making a big difference. Keeping the community safe is how I live united.
Lauren Downham, 10, Grade 5, Burroughs Community School, Minneapolis
Some kids think autistic kids have some horrible contagious disease, but they're wrong. My school has an autism program, which lets the autistic kids have both separate lessons and ones with the class. What I have learned is that many of them have very special things that they know all about, like dinosaurs, math, video games, you name it, and they'd be overjoyed to talk to you about it. In first grade, my teacher put me next to autistic kids a lot. If they needed help with something, I would summarize it to them. I think it really helped them to hear it from someone their age. Overall, I think we can learn from people with autism — and help them, too!
Willem Nelsen, 10, Grade 5, Minnesota New Country School, St. Peter, Minn.
Last winter I organized a winter clothes drive. I wanted to do this project because I didn't want any kids to freeze to death if they didn't have proper winter clothing. I put the idea into action and turned it into a project at school. The kids in school helped donate to the drive and some of the clothes were from my brother and me. I collected four jumbo garbage bags full of winter clothing. I then donated them to CADA House, a place for abused women and their children. They were thankful. It was a huge success.
William Rosin, 11, Grade 5, Oxbow Creek Elementary, Champlin
Combining your interests with giving back is worth it. I wrote and directed a play called "The Bushel Fairy Garden." On Sept. 7, we performed for family and friends in my back yard. I was excited and proud of myself and my friends. My pride didn't end there! I raised $42 in ticket sales. The next day, I took the money to Feed My Starving Children and was told it would feed 200 kids. I could have spent the money on myself, but it felt great feeding those children. It's fun to give back when you use your passions.
