Shawswick Elementary's Brody Phillips wins this year's Mother's Day Essay Contest

Tyler Haughn, The Times-Mail
·2 min read
Brody Phillips poses for a picture alongside his mother, Sharissa, after winning this year's Mother's Day Essay Contest sponsored by Bedford Revitalization, Inc.
Brody Phillips poses for a picture alongside his mother, Sharissa, after winning this year's Mother's Day Essay Contest sponsored by Bedford Revitalization, Inc.

BEDFORD — Although Mother's Day has come and passed, Shawswick Elementary student Brody Phillips and his mother, Sharissa, are still celebrating the occasion.

The fifth-grader won this year's Mother's Day Essay Contest sponsored by Bedford Revitalization Inc. In 78 words, Brody thanked his mother for her tireless work in supporting him and his siblings.

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The contest celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of mothers throughout the community. Sharissa received a gift basket featuring items from a host of downtown shops and businesses during a presentation Tuesday afternoon at Shawswick Elementary School.

Bedford Revitalization Inc. President Susan Gales said Brody's essay stood out among the 27 other entries because it focused on the sacrifices his mother continues to make for the welfare of her children.

"There were two ladies that judged it for us and their comments were along the lines that Brody focused on the mom and everything his mom is going through versus what his mom has done for him," Gales said. "It wasn't about him. It was about his mom."

This year marks the first time the essay contest has been offered since 2019. The pandemic forced BRI to temporarily shelve the competition.

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All of the essays were written and submitted by fourth and fifth-graders attending Shawswick Elementary School.

The donors included Stone Cottage, Atchison Eyecare, LawCo Living, Timeless Images Studio, Bailey’s Flowers & Gifts, The Lemon Seed Boutique, Farmhouse Charm & Boutique, The Bedford Farmer’s Market, Pub 15, Stonecutters Place Apartments, Hoosier Uplands and Bedford Federal Savings Bank.

From left to right: Shawswick Elementary Assistant Principal Kelsey Pace, Bedford Revitalization, Inc. President Susan Gales, Brody and Sharissa Phillips, Bedford Revitalization, Inc. Design Committee Member Addie Datish, Shawswick Elementary Principal Brian Perry and Bedford Revitalization, Inc. Design Committee Member Tim Thompson.
From left to right: Shawswick Elementary Assistant Principal Kelsey Pace, Bedford Revitalization, Inc. President Susan Gales, Brody and Sharissa Phillips, Bedford Revitalization, Inc. Design Committee Member Addie Datish, Shawswick Elementary Principal Brian Perry and Bedford Revitalization, Inc. Design Committee Member Tim Thompson.

Father's Day plans

Gales also shared that voting is already underway for Father's Day essays. A total of 13 essays have been submitted by fourth and fifth-graders at Shawswick Elementary and are currently being reviewed.

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"We will be announcing the Father's Day essay winner this week or next because we want to make that presentation next week before the kids are out of school," Gales said.

Father's Day falls on Sunday, June 19 this year.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Shawswick Elementary's Brody Phillips wins this year's Mother's Day Essay Contest