Fifth grader wins award for essay on America

Monday, Dec. 4, 2000 | 9:10 a.m.

Fifth grader Drew Kirkpatrick was awarded a $50 savings bond last week for his essay, "To the Republic for Which It Stands."

The award was given by the Jewish War Veterans Ladies Auxiliary, Greenspun/Radin Post 21 during an assembly at Richard Bryan Elementary School, 8050 Ciela Vista Way.

During the assembly, American flags were given to the fifth graders, and the Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard folded a flag in the traditional 13 segments as a narrator recited what each fold means.

The ceremony was part of an annual essay contest sponsored by the auxiliary. The contest has been held for four years at Lummis Elementary around the Fourth of July. This year it branched out to Bryan Elementary for Veterans Day.

The program is a way to "instill into children a little thought of what it means to be an American," Ruth Weinrott, treasurer of the auxiliary, said.

Fifth graders are asked to write an essay. Most students write about the flag, servicemen or freedom, Weinrott said.

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