Candi Sewell' 6th grader and president of West Wilson Builders club in Mt Juliet TN was the winner. Topic this year was , "How my participation in the Builders Club has helped me include the core values of character builders, inclusiveness, caring and leadership into my daily life."
"Hi, my name is Candi Sewell, I am a 6th grader and president of the Builders Club. We have done many things for a lot of different people this year. It makes me feel good inside to know that I made someone's life happier and easier even if I do not know them. For an example, when I first joined the Builders Club we had a bake sale. Members of the club brought in food and we sold it. We bought two plaques with the money we earned and had a ceremony where we dedicated the plaques to two local police officers who died for their country. We also donated a law enforcement book to three libraries.
We also sold candles to raise money to buy Christmas gifts for children who did not have money. It was called the " Angel Tree Project". We then sold cookie dough to raise money for a local family and " Make A Wish" Foundation. It really made me feel good to do this for these kids. One thing I learned from this project si to not take anything for granted and to be happy and thankful for what I have.
Another project we did was help the student council raise money for Halloween. This taught me that we can work together with other clubs and people to do the best possible job. It is not a contest to see who is the best. Next, we sold rainforest shirts and saved 50 acres of land! It feels good to know that you are making a difference not only in your community, but in the whole world.
We have been dicussing thing we are going to do in the future. We are planning to have a "Rock-A-Thon" to raise money for cancer research for St. Jude Hospitial. We are also planning a banquet in May. I can't wait until these events happen and I get to help more peoples lives! Being not only a member but the president of the Builders Club has taught me that we all have the ability to help those who need it and that makes me feel good.
ADMINISTRATORS NOTE--West Wilson's Rock A Thon raised over $900 for St Jude's. 26 members, parents and the local Cracker Barrel participated in the 3 hour event.
Beth Sutton, from the Cosby Elementary School Builders Club in Newport TN is the winner of the 2002-2004 KT Builders Winning Essay Competition. Her club is sponsored by the Newport Kiwanis Club, to whom she submitted the essay.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. This Bible verse reminds me of the Kiwanis family. They try their hardest to teach forthcoming Kiwanians and students to try to better serve their peers and community. Usually, most people who they teach become Kiwanians. Kiwanians are also exceptional role models. In the following paragraphs of my essay, I will tell about how Kiwanians have changed my life, inspired me to do more for my community, and about some of the things they have taught me. Please continue to read along, and you might run into a rainstorm!
The people at the Kiwanis organization have truly changed my life. After every six-weeks grading period, the Kiwanians come to our school for a "Terrific Kids" program. It gives children a chance to set goals and work to achieve them. When a child achieves his/her goals, they receive incentives. I love seeing the look on the children's faces when they receive their awards. The Kiwanians, through this program, try to better the children's community by rewarding them with their own special moment! They are special people.
The Kiwanians have even inspired me to do more for my community. Our Kiwanis organization sponsors a day that is centered around children called Kid's Day. Our community children can eat hot dogs and play games at the park for free! My Builders Club went to help with Kid's Day, and at the blink of an eye it started raining! Within five minutes, we were soaked to the bone! The Kiwanians were very determined and inspired us to stay. We had the time of our lives! I learned that you can spend time with munchkins and actually have fun!
The Kiwanians have taught me many things. They have taught
me to speak up for myself and just be myself. They have also taught
me to look around and not be so self-centered. In Builders Club
we sponsored a food drive, and I thought that the food would be
sent out of our county because we didn't have many hungry people,
if any at all, but I was dead wrong! I found out that Cocke County
has more hungry people than there are teenagers at the movies
on a Friday night. I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach.
The Kiwanians can teach you a lot of things if you'll just listen
to them.
I have greatly benefited from being a part of the Kiwanis family.
I believe that any Kiwanian would be a great role model for anyone.
In the last few paragraphs, I talked about how the Kiwanians have
changed my life, how they have inspired me to do more for my community,
and about what I've learned from them. I hope that I can someday
become one of them! Kiwanians are the best!
Provided by Edye Bryant KT Builders Administrator