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LEARN HOW TO MAKE OUR TYPE LARGER

"My Favorite Older Person" Winning Essays
Published July/August 2001

By CYN LoPINTO
Editor-in-chief, gerontologist

The West Central Florida Area Agency of Aging collaborated with both the Hillsborough and Polk County School Systems, and various local sponsors for the "2001 My Favorite Older Person Essay Contest." This year marks the seventeenth year for the Hillsborough County contest and Home Front Magazine was proud to be a sponsor and take part in the judging procedures and awards ceremony in our county.

The intent of the contest and awards ceremony is to acknowledge the students' positive relationships with their favorite older persons and to recognize the older persons who have contributed in such meaningful ways to these children's lives.

Essays were judged on feelings expressed, clarity of ideas and the value of the activities and qualities that are admired in the older person. The older person has to be at least 60 years of age and is know or has been known by the student.

The following are the winning essays from fifth graders in both the General Education and Exceptional Education categories in Hillsborough County. So sit back and enjoy these wonderful and emotionally-charged essays. Make sure to keep a box of tissues nearby!

Please note: Essays have been typed exactly as submitted

First Place General Education Winner:

Name:	Diogel Cendan
School:	Clair-Mel Elementary
Teacher:	Miss Hufft
Older Person:	Lilia Campos

What would you say if a boy is compared to an ancient person? Wouldn't you say the boy is more energetic, so he can do much more? But, is it true? "Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind it doesn't matter." Satchel Paige. There's nothing an older person can't do. It doesn't matter how old you are, or what you look like on the outside. The only thing that matters is what you have in your inside.

Books

My grandma is aged but that doesn't change the fact that she's still a human. She used to live in Cuba. When she moved here, she was only thirteen years old. She didn't know English and dropped out of school. She grew up with no hope. When she was old, she finally started to climb the ladder of success, from the bottom to the top.

My grandmother started to learn to read Spanish and English. In Cuba she didn't have a chance to go to school. Even though learning to read in two different languages was difficult, she persevered. When I moved to America, she bought me books that helped me learn how to speak English. I had t try hard since the English language was strange to me. I appreciate my grandmother's help since I had no one else to help me.

Eggs

As the time passed, my grandmother kept learning how to be more independent. She started to do things by making mistakes. I get a smile on my face when I hear her brag about how good she is in everything she does, because I know that she wasn't always as good at things as she is now. One of my stories is about the time she learned to cook eggs. As she burned the eggs, she burned herself at the same time! She would try to pick the eggs up out of the pan, and the splatters of oil would jump out of the pan and burn her on the arms. With that she learned that she should be careful when cooking eggs!

And by this I've learned that if you don't make mistakes you'll never learn to do anything at all.

"For, if you will persevere,
You will conquer, never fear;
Try, try again."
Anonymous

Once my grandma reached the top of the ladder, she brought my family to America from Cuba. It took my family a lot of hard work and dedication to come to America, but my grandma made it easier for us. When my parents were working, she took her time to do housework in my house, like cleaning the bathrooms. She also took care of me. She almost always did this, and that's amazing to me because she worked in her own house and at our house too. My grandmother still helps my family by taking care of my garden. She never rushes, and gets everything done by trying hard and never giving up. By setting this example, she has taught me to never give up, even if trying is the hardest thing to do.

My grandmother has been really honorable to all of us. "The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world. I'm like a snowball - the further I'm rolled, the more I gain." Susan B. Anthony. My grandma is like the snowball. The older she gets, the more power she has to help herself and my family.

Second Place General Education Winner:

Name:	Brooke Batten
School:	Carrollwood Elementary
Teacher:	Mrs. Hoeft
Older Person:	F. Lane France

My grandfather and I met for the first time in the delivery room at St.Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Florida. My birth was not the first he had attended, though, as he had delivered many babies himself. He was also present when my mom and her sisters were born. My grandfather is my favorite older person and he is a retired pediatrician.

My grandfather's name is Dr. F. Lane France M.D, but I call him Pap-Pap. I think you have probably already guessed that he is my mother's dad and my favorite older person. Pap-Pap was born on February 27, 1939 and is 62 years old. He is (in my opinion) the best pediatrician ever.

I admire this person because he was a doctor during the Viet Nam War and was stationed in Key West, Florida at the U.S. Naval Base Hospital. While he was at the hospital he cared for the children of many Navel people who were in Viet Nam. It was during this time that he delivered many babies because there was a lack of obstetricians at the Naval Base. When he started pediatric practice in Tampa, not only was he a wonderful pediatrician but also a strong children's advocate. He devoted much of his time in volunteer efforts on children's issues. In 1994. My grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. I strongly admire him for the way he is handling this problem. Although he cannot continue to practice clinical pediatrics, because of certain limitations, he has become involved in other Pediatric related work and does not let his condition slow him down.

My grandfather is my favorite older person because he is going through tough times and I admire hoe he is handling things. He never complains and always has a good attitude. I am always there for him and he appreciates the help that I offer him. I also think that I have his genes. You see, ever since I was little and he would take me to the office with him, I would watch what he did, I have decided I want to be a pediatrician, too. He does things that nobody else does for me and I feel very special.

Ultimately, I love my grandfather very much because he is such a special person and my favorite older person. He is my role model, and I hope that I can be as caring a person and do for my community as he has done. I would do anything for my grandfather

Third Place General Education Winner:

Name:	Brittany Smith
School:	Lowry Elementary
Teacher:	Mr. Fabian
Older Person:	Mildred Brisker

The older person that I look up to, and respect the most is Mildred Brisker. She is 82 years old, and she volunteers hours at my daycare, Lowry After School Care. She has affected my life for three years ever since I moved here to Tampa. She is the brightness of the after school program, and she keeps the place pleasant. Saying her name just doesn't seem right, so she asked all the kids to call her "Grandma". The thing is she really does care just like a real grandma.

Award

She really cares about the children. She goes through a lot to get newspapers delivered to our program for the children to read, and do crafts with. She knows my eight year old sister loves to read so she gave hear a book. Every week she gives children awards for doing good things, and encourages us to do our very best in order to succeed I life.

This summer I was going to the summer program at Lowry where Grandma generously volunteers. For example, we went to the Florida Aquarium, and Grandma was my chaperone. Everyone in my group had a nice time, and wheeling grandma's wheelchair was no problem, but she gave us each a very nice, handmade card that said thank you. She also made everyone in the after school care a stuffed bear.

One weekend Grandma had a heart attack. When manager, Steve Vaughn, told us, we were shocked and heart broken. The only positive thing was she didn't die, since she was in the hospital at the time.

Mr. Steve wanted all the people in the program to donate money, to give Grandma a certificate to Publix, but we didn't stop there. Teachers and staff chipped in too. By the time Grandma was well, we had a five hundred dollar certificate to Publix, and two bouquets of flowers for her. We were glad she was okay.

This is why I care so much about Grandma.

Fourth Place General Education Winner:

Name:	Marilyn Mondragon
School:	Bryan Elementary
Teacher:	Lori Player
Older Person:	Felix Albarado

I admire a lot of people. The person that I admire the most is Felix Albarado. He is my grandfather. I admire my grandfather for a lot of reasons, but the best reasons why I admire him are has a lot of patience, he is responsible, and he loves to keep all the promises he makes. Now you see why he is my favorite older person.

Immigration

The first reason I admire him is because of his patience. My grandfather comes to the United States every year. He was so patient when he went to the immigrent office. He had to go through a lot of things to come to the United States one, is he had to suffer 2 to 3 days to get his papers. He told me there were 100 to 150 people waiting in one long long line. Once he lost his spot and had to start all over again. When he was waiting in line woman would go up to them and sell food so they would not starve. They send them by trains, buses and planes. His patience in the process taught me to be patient through the most difficult tasks.

My grandpa is so responsible when he gets his paper, right away he looks for work. When he gets his first check he send about 75% of it to his family in Mexico. He lives in an apartment when he is here in the U.S. He is now retired and 68 years old, but he still works. He likes to work as much as he can. I am very proud of my grandfather and how hard he works and it has taught me to be a more responsible person and to work hard in school.

Fifth Place General Education Winner:

Name:	Yu Jin Kim
School:	West Tampa Elementary
Teacher:	Mrs. Laws
Older Person:	Joung Lim Kim

"Yum yum! I can't wait until I get my hands on that food." That's what I always say in front of my grandma's house. Everytime I go for a visit to her house I think I gain about five pounds! I can't live without her homemade food. That's only a portion of what I love about my grandma. I can't imagine her life without her. She's a part of me. Grandma is a person who believes in helping the ones who need help and giving everyone advice when they have a problem. My grandma thinks family comes first so when we have a person sick in the family she always takes care of them.

There is no one that can take over my grandma's places. She is a very special person to me. What makes her so extraordinary is that she can make you feel free when you're locked into a problem. When I have a problem I always go to my grandma for some advice, and everytime she comes up with the best solutions. I remember the day my best friend moved away. I thought the whole world was going to end. When I talked to my grandma about my problem she found a solution for my question even before I was able to get to the end of it. I don't know what I would have done without her. I can always count on her.

"Grandma's here for you." Those are the words she told me with a worried look on her face when I'm sick. When I'm sick she cooks her famous chicken soup. I don't know how but that soup makes me feel better in just a second. She will read me stories and tell me jokes and stay next to me until I feel all better. My grandma never thinks about herself but she sure thinks about her family.

She makes sure that I am safe twenty-four hours a day. In her arms I fear nothing in this world because I know she will protect me in anyway she can. I thank my grandma for everything she has done to me. I love her more than anything in this world. I think she is a great role model for everyone in this world and I hope to be just like her when I'm sixty two.

Please note: Essays have been typed exactly as submitted

First Place ESE Education Winner:

Name:	Tanya Atkins
School:	Essrig Elementary
Teacher:	Mrs. Nicoletto
Older Person:	James Smith

My favorite older person would have to be my grandaddy. Because,he is some one I look up to. And he's also the kind of person that helps people who have know money. My grandaddy gives food to the people who is called poor.Now you may think this is a joke but it isn't. My grandaddy sales food, clothes,toy's, and anything you can name for a penny. And speaking of penny I'm going to tell you how sad it is to see people beg you for food or money.On Saturday at 2:30,when my grandaddy and I want to PUBLIX the grocery store.It is poring rain.And as my granddaddy and myself walk out of the store. What do we see?A hart breaking moment.I see a man in tattered clothes and socks for mittens.I stand there in shock hoping that someone will give him some food or money, but know Theresa like five or six people out there that wont even help him. Then all of a Sutton, he reaches in this filthy garbage can and pulled out a crumbled up McDonalds bag.In that bag was nothing.My granddaddy walked back in PUBLIX,and bought him a Cuban sandwich,a big bottle of water.Thenmy granddad said have a wonderful day sir.And I admit that make me very happy.And I walked over myself and handed him five dollars.So my granddaddy was so happy I got treated to some ice cream.

Second Place ESE Education Winner:

Name:	Jarvis Williams
School:	Alafia Elementary
Teacher:	Mrs. Todd
Older Person:	Ivory Johnson

I'm writing about my granddad Ivory Johnson he's sixty years old and he is the best granddad a kid could ever have he always knows whats best for me. He's a caring person he loves the whole family including me when we need help he's always there. He's job is just like a taxi diver but he doesn't use a taxi.

He always knows whats best for me because we always have this little talk school and what I should do to not get in trouble because he wont's me to reach my goal and go to middle school and he puts trust in me that I can do it.

Taxi

He care for the whole family even if there not in his family he still cares for them he goes to curch to praise the lord not make fun of people of how they sing,walk,or talk but he is there for ne thing and that's worship the lord

My granddad had a job but he doesn't drive a taxi he drives everyone were they need to go to job,home,or store he'll take you there. He's just like a safety patrol he'll tell you to buckle up every time I get in the car with him he always watches the rode he never look back at use when were doing something he just say stop and keeps looking at the rode.

That's my favorite old person he's the best granddad I could ever have no one could replace him he has a nice job. He is one of the most caring people in the world and,He know what best for me well that my older person I wrote about and you will get to meet him if we make it to the banquet.

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