Local fourth graders earn prizes in annual essay contest

Every year the Jolly Dozen Family and Community Education group in Phillips County hosts an essay and artwork contest for fourth grade students in Haxtun and Holyoke. The theme of this year's contest is responsibility, one of the six pillars of character. Students are required to write an essay on the topic and create a hand-drawn picture.

The FCE nationwide contest provides opportunity for students to improve literacy skills and develop ethical values.

This year, Holyoke's Victoria Baeza won first place and Raia Sprague earned second. Haxtun's Barron Starkebaum took third place honors. Each student in both fourth grade classrooms receive a book from the Jolly Dozen group and top winners earn cash prizes as well as the opportunity to compete at the State level.

Below are the top three winning essays.

Victoria Baeza

Did you know that Albert Einstein once declared, "It is the responsibility for every human being to aspire to do something worthwhile, to make this world a better place." I think this is very inspiring to help others to become more responsible. I believe it is inspiring because it motivates you to become a better responsible person. What worthwhile means to me is every second counts. There are so many ways to be responsible whether it is helping the environment or even being a good classmate; sometimes you can be a good citizen by being responsible.

Responsibility takes time and effort; it is demonstrated by being on time, being respectful and to be responsible for your actions and feelings. Being on time is very important in the present and in the future. For example, for a job interview (a interview is essentially a structured conversation where one participant asks questions) that you have to be on time for or they will think you will be late every day and they won't want to hire you. This is also important for school, you have to be there on time in order for you to not get a tardy. Being respectful is an amazing way to show you are responsible because if you ever yell at an older person, you are being irresponsible by disobeying them. You can be responsible for your actions and feelings by thinking before. You speak because sometimes the words can come out harsh. The reason you have to be responsible for your actions is because if you make a mistake you have to be honest; it is just not good lying because you can get in bigger trouble.

Being a good citizen is an essential part of being responsible by not littering, being friendly to the environment and obeying the rules. The reason not to litter is you can hurt animals if you litter; they will eat the trash not knowing what it is and harm it. Being friendly to the environment is very important. For example, if you every cut down a bunch of trees that will affect the oxygen and the oxygen won't be as clean; that would be irresponsible. Obeying the rules is very important especially when it comes to hunting. If you ever hunt a endangered animal (an endangered animal is when they are about to go extinct) animal that you weren't supposed to, that would be illegal and that would not be responsible.

It is also very important to be responsible at school. In order to be responsible at school you need to be helpful, setting a good example for others and being prepared for your classes. Prepared means when you are ready for something. Being helpful in the classroom is a god way to earn good standings with your teacher and classmates, which this is a sign of good responsibility. An example of being helpful in the classroom is by setting an example to others by being a good listener, picking up after yourself and being respectful. Another way to show responsibility in school is by being prepared every day. Preparation is a handy tool to succeed in everyday tasks in every place you go. For example, I like to prepare myself the night before I do anything. I like to lay down my outfit, prepare my backpack, which helps me be prepared in the morning.

In conclusion, I feel like being responsible is an important role to take on an everyday basis. Like the Albert Einstein quote of, "it is the responsibility for every human being to aspire to do something worthwhile, to make this world a better place." This is the perfect quote, because being responsible means you feel better and makes the world a better place and by chance you can be an inspiration to others as well. I like to apply Albert Einstein's quote to my life because it motives me and helps me be a better person. Being responsible helps be a good citizen, good student and being responsible with your classmates.

Raia Sprague

Are you a responsible person? If you are, then you will recognize some of the things I am going to tell you about. The definition to responsible is being accountable for your actions. Responsibility can be measured in multiple ways. Being a responsible person means acting morally, being reliable and dependable and meeting the expectations of our daily lives. In this essay, I will be telling you what it means to me to act to act morally, be reliable and meet expectations.

What does it mean to act morally?

First, morals are the rules that help me decide between right and wrong. The rules that guide our moral decisions are made by many people. Examples of people that make these rules are loving parents, caring teachers, successful principals, ambitious government leaders and aggressive coaches. To act morally means to follow the rules. One of my moral rules is to treat others how I want to be treated. I do this by sharing with my friends, being kind and caring about their feelings. When we act morally, we can achieve more in life.

Responsibility includes being reliable and dependable.

Next, being a reliable and dependable person means you are worthy of other people's trust. Trust is earned by keeping your words truthful and making your actions match your words. A responsible person does not lie to their teacher or say untrue things about their friends. A responsible person also follows through by not getting distracted from a tasks they said they would do. The trust that is earned through responsibility increases your faithful relationships.

Responsible people meet expectations.

Finally, expectations are the standards that are used to measure our choices. In school, our teachers set expectations. An example of meeting expectations is completing your homework on time. Responsible people value expectations and set goals to help them meet expectations. In gymnastics competitions, I am expected to work hard and perform well. I meet these expectations by setting goals, like never missing practice, practicing extra at home and always trying to learn new gymnastics skills. Setting goals and meeting expectations increases my responsibilities and opportunities in life.

This essay has explained to you what I think responsibility means. Responsible people act morally, are reliable and meet expectations in their daily lives. Responsibility includes making right choices consistently that follow the expectations set for us.

Responsibility helps make our relationships with others better. Showing responsibility allows for increased opportunity and success in life.

Baron Starkebaum

Responsibility to me means taking care of my pets and family without being asked. It means picking up after yourself and others and doing good actions.

At my farm I have responsibilities. Feeding my goats, feeding my dogs and helping my dad. I have to feed my goats every morning and night. I do my dogs food and water whenever it needs done. Whenever my dad needs help, I go out and help him. Also, when my goats have babies, I have to go help the babies survive. I have to drive cattle when it needs done. I also have responsibilities at school property and turning my work in on time. Responsibility to me means taking care of everything that has been given to me without being asked.