Stories of Hope: Fifth-grader learns about force of motion in honors program

Staff Report
·3 min read
Fernanda Escobar, a fifth-grader at Westside Elementary, was asked to join FBHonors after scoring high on her Florida Standard Assessment.
Fernanda Escobar, a fifth-grader at Westside Elementary, was asked to join FBHonors after scoring high on her Florida Standard Assessment.

My name is Fernanda Escobar, I am in the fifth grade at Westside Elementary School. I am in the after-school FBHonors Program with Food Brings Hope.

I was asked to join the FBHonors program this year because I earned the high score of 5 on Florida Standard Assessment’s math test and a 4 on the English-Language Art and 7 on my writing assessment. I really like to study and learn, which is why I like coming to the FBHonors program.

Right now, we are studying about force of motion. This week we are making snowball launchers but since we live in Florida and we don’t have snow, we are doing it with marshmallows. We are fundraising for an end-of-the-year to go to Epcot to learn more about force of motion with their Planet Earth attraction and to do a behind-the-scenes educational tour.

I am also on the school’s safety patrol, and I like helping other kids be safe. We are a bully-free school and I help them learn how to follow the rules.

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I live with my mom, dad, uncle and little sister. My dad is from Mexico and my mom and uncle are from El Salvador. My mom and uncle are both good cooks and they have taught me how to cook, too. We make pupusas stuffed with beans and cheese, while my little sister is the taste-tester. My mom and uncle raise chickens and have a big garden, so we have fresh eggs and vegetables at my house.

My favorite memory from my time at Westside is when we had a father-daughter dance, my dad and I got to dress up and go together. I still have a picture that we took there. I like spending time with my 4-year-old sister because we read, play games, run-around and watch the Disney Channel together.

When I am older, I would like to be an actress like Jenna Ortega, who plays Wednesday Addams in the new “Addams Family” movie. I also like to draw and would like to be an artist, too.

At Christmas time my entire family decorates the Christmas tree, and we go see Christmas lights. For Christmas, I would like a Roblox gift card because that is my favorite video game. I also would like butter slime, which is like a type of slime, and maybe some Manga books, because I really like Asian culture. If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would like to go to Japan. I like K-pop music too! I also like to play basketball; I have a basketball at home but I do not have a basketball hoop.

For Christmas, I like to give my parents homemade gifts and I try to listen to them to help them more. I am grateful that my family takes care of me and that I have a roof over my head.

About this series: The FBH Community’s mission is to foster community organizations that proactively work to eradicate the causes of generational poverty. FBH Community hosts programs such as Food Brings Hope’s KidsZone, TeenZone, FBHonors and Change the Code, Pierson Family Literacy, Homes Bring Hope and the FBH Prosperity Initiative help hardworking families struggling with hunger, housing insecurity, underemployment, and low levels of literacy. Overhead is covered by the Hosseini Family Foundation, so 100% of donations go directly to the programs and families. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the organization by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. To donate to the organization, or to brighten the holidays by donating a gift to a child, email info@foodbringshope.org.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Food Brings Hope program raising funds for educational Epcot tour