NPMS student's entry wins Wiatt Family Essay Contest from foundation

Thursday, November 15, 2012
North Putnam seventh-grader Ali Elmore (third from left), grand prize winner in the Darrell Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest, is joined at a Tuesday afternoon ceremony by (from left) teacher Jessyca South, contest sponsor Darrell Wiatt, philanthropist Barb Bowman, Putnam County Community Foundation Executive Director Elaine Peck, Russellville Town Clerk DeVon Davis and North Putnam Middle School Principal Terry Tippin. (Courtesy photo)

Ali Elmore's essay, titled "Barb Bowman," is the grand prize winner of the Darrell Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest, administered by the Putnam County Community Foundation.

Elmore is a student in Jessyca South's seventh-grade class at North Putnam Middle School.

In recognition of her accomplishment, the school will receive a grant of $500, while Elmore designated the Town of Russellville to receive a grant of $150 for basketball goals for the town park.

Entries were accepted from seventh-graders in all four county school corporations. Students were instructed to write a 500-word essay about "The Philanthropist I Know Personally and Admire The Most."

Elaine Peck, executive director of the Putnam County Foundation, said judges evaluated the essays with no knowledge of the identity of the schools or the students. Essay contest judges were Diana LaViolette, Jinsie Bingham and Louis Fontaine.

Seven finalists were selected in the essay contest this year.

Kristen Earley was a finalist for an essay titled, "The Philanthropist I know and Admire the Most," which recognizes the efforts of her mother, Tracy Earley, to support a dying child and his family.

Earley is also a student in the seventh-grade class at North Putnam Middle School. She chose the Humane Society of Putnam County to receive a Finalist Grant Award of $50.

Madeline Graham wrote an essay called "My Amazing Cousin: Megan Dillon," whom she admires for being a leader and a volunteer in the food pantry of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Marin, Calif.

Graham, a student in Suzanne Funk's seventh-grade class at Greencastle Middle School, chose Putnam County Relay For Life to receive a Finalist Grant Award of $50.

Colin York wrote an essay about his mother, Tammy York, whom he admires for her involvement in Tri Kappa and her helping support a two-year-old baby in Sri Lanka.

York is a student in Funk's seventh-grade class at GMS, and he chose Humane Society of Putnam County to receive a Finalist Grant Award of $50.

Grace Sollman wrote an essay about her grandmother, Rena Smith, which recognizes Ms. Smith's efforts to help people, particularly disabled veterans and homeless animals.

Sollman, a student in Caitlynn McKinney's seventh-grade class at South Putnam Jr.-Sr. High School, chose Humane Society of Putnam County to receive a Finalist Grant Award of $50.

Rachel Jones wrote an essay titled, "The World's Youngest Philanthropist" about her sister, Hannah Jones, which recognizes Hannah's generosity and volunteer work.

Jones, a student in McKinney's seventh-grade class at South Putnam, chose the Humane Society of Putnam County to receive a Finalist Grant Award of $50.

Hannah Nichols wrote an essay called, "My Dad," whom Nichols admires for being a pastor and a missionary and for helping people in the community.

Nichols, a student in Jonna Rady's seventh-grade class at Cloverdale Middle School, chose Soul Harvest Food Pantry to receive a Finalist Grant Award of $50.

Hannah Williams wrote an essay about "Hope's Way," which recognizes the work Rick and Elizabeth Shafer are doing to help disabled children and adults at Hope's Way.

Williams, a student in Katie Mosley's seventh-grade class at Cloverdale Middle School, chose Hope's Way to receive a Finalist Grant Award of $50.

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