Cloverdale seventh-grader wins Philanthropy Essay Contest

Thursday, November 23, 2017
Cloverdale Middle School student Clayton Peterson (second from left) accepts the grand prize in the 2017 Darrell Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest, a $500 grant for his school. Also present are Mae Hamm of the Millgrove United Methodist Church Food Pantry, Clayton’s chosen charity; William Peterson, Clayton’s grandfather and the subject of his essay; and the contest’s namesake, retired educator Darrell Wiatt.
Courtesy photo

Clayton Peterson, a student in Katie Mosley’s class at Cloverdale Middle School, is the grand prize winner of the Putnam County Community Foundation’s 2017 Darrell Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest.

Clayton’s prize-winning essay described his grandfather William F. Peterson as being the philanthropist he admires most.

“I love William as a grandfather and as a philanthropist,” Clayton wrote.

In his essay, Clayton explained that his grandfather has demonstrated a concern for others in several different ways. He donates money to local and non-local organizations and donates his time to good causes. He is also a semi-retired Lutheran pastor.

In recognition of Clayton’s accomplishment, Millgrove United Methodist Church Food Pantry, the charity of his choice, received a $150 donation and his school received a $500 grant.

Entries were accepted from seventh-grade students in all four Putnam County school corporations. Students were instructed to write a 500-word essay about “The philanthropist I know personally and admire the most.” Each school district selected the two best essays and submitted them to The Putnam County Community Foundation.

Alan Zerkel served as chairman of the Essay Contest and Essay Contest judges from all four school districts evaluated essays with no knowledge of the identity of the schools, the philanthropists or the students. Beyond the grants associated with the grand prize winner, the remaining seven finalists each recommend a $50 grant to the Putnam County charity of their choice.

Abigail Nees, another student from Mosley’s class at Cloverdale Middle School, was a finalist for her essay recognizing Steve Caulking, a youth league coach and volunteer fire fighter:

“I just admire Steve so much because he can do all these things sacrificing his time and sometimes risking his life all just to help people,” she wrote.

Nees chose Soul Harvest Church to receive her $50 finalist grant.

Brodie Carr, a student in Jenny Laser’s class at South Putnam Middle School, wrote an essay about Allen and Peg Royer of the Putnam County 4-H Archery Club, noting “They teach more than archery; they teach life skills.”

Carr chose to designate his $50 finalist grant to the Putnam County 4-H Archery Club.

Porchea Evans, another student in Laser’s class, was a finalist for her essay highlighting the contributions of Cindy Baxter, her grandmother.

“My grandma makes being a philanthropist and a good person look easy,” Evans wrote, “and I hope someday to follow in her footsteps.”

Evans chose the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, where she and her grandmother donate food, to receive a finalist grant of $50.

Levi O’Neal, a student in Susan Trent’s class at North Putnam Middle School, wrote an essay recognizing Justin Sherwin, a Boy Scout with Troop 199.

“Justin made me realize that humanity has some humanity,” O’Neal wrote. “I believe we need more people like Justin in this world.”

O’Neal chose Putnam County Humane Society to receive a $50 finalist grant.

Elleanor Jones, also a student in Trent’s class, was a finalist for her essay describing her admiration for Mike Hartley, a volunteer and board member of Family Promise of Hendricks County.

“You think of a person’s legacy, the impact they make in their community, nothing has a greater impact in your life than having a place to call home,” Jones wrote.

Jones dedicated her finalist grant of $50 to Beyond Homeless Incorporated.

Julia Lofaro, a student in Andrea Stout’s class at Greencastle Middle School, described her admiration for Mark Sheppard.

“The community projects Mark has been a part of have made and immense difference on the world around him and have made hope a reality to the people he has met,” Lofaro wrote.

Lofaro chose to give her finalist grant of $50 to the Putnam County Humane Society.

Maria Serapio, also a student in Stout’s class wrote her essay about Veronica Brian.

“She has been a family friend and I always admire what she had done for us and many other people…sometimes she would assume the role of my grandma when my real one was millions of miles away,” Serapio wrote.

Serapio chose to designate her $50 finalist grant to Putnam County Humane Society.

The Darrell Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest is a program provided by the Putnam County Community Foundation. Through the program, the Community Foundation hopes to recognize a few of the everyday philanthropists in Putnam County and to ensure that no child will graduate from high school without knowing the meaning of the word “philanthropy.”

For additional information visit www.pcfoundation.org or contact Elaine Peck at 653-4378.

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    Way to go, Clayton! :)

    -- Posted by DouglasQuaid on Thu, Nov 23, 2017, at 11:51 PM
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