Harrisonburg Club Supports Annual School Essay Contest
by Barbara B. Emswiler

Eleven members of the Kiwanis Club of Harrisonburg, Virginia read 370 essays written by Kindergarten through 12th graders explaining why their teacher is special.

Having read the essays for several years, Kiwanians have seen winners read their prize winning words who will probably never again be honored. Their sincere efforts are more prize worthy than their grammar or writing style in this contest. The pictures that accompany the printed words of younger entrants are truly worth a thousand words. The 13 essay winners from three age categories read their writings to the audience at the Massanutten Regional Library while their teachers stand next to them, beaming. Hearts melt and tears drip as the schoolchildren thank teachers for everything from help with homework to allowing extra time at recess. Kiwanians serve punch and cookies to all winners, teachers, and their families.

This is truly a valuable Kiwanis project that honors children and their teachers. It also enriches the lives of each Kiwanis volunteer who reads the essays and sees firsthand that there is much hope in future leaders who have excellent, caring teachers. It costs Kiwanis no money. A local family, Robert and Loraine Strickler, have endowed the annual contest for 12 years in memory of teachers in their family.

Each winner receives a monetary award. The winning honored teacher receives a $500 check for his/her school.

Upper left, Bea Crantz, 66, of Harrisonburg, who teaches fifth-grade language arts at Linville-Edom Elementary School, wraps her arm around her student, Tristen Phelps, 11. Crantz was named Honored Teacher of the Year by the Massanutten Regional Library after Tristen wrote an essay about her.

Upper right, Deb Frank and Carl Stewart of the Kiwanis Club of Harrisonburg read