Winners named in annual Kiwanis Vandenberg Essay Contest
CHARLEVOIX — The Annual Kiwanis Vandenberg Essay Contest was held at Charlevoix Elementary School on May 19 in a gym filled with students, parents, grandparents, teachers and principals, nonprofits, Kiwanis members and the excitement of 65 fifth graders.
Fifth graders were asked to write an essay about a nonprofit that has impacted them personally or one that they have an interest in. Essays were collected and read by the Kiwanis essay committee and six were selected as winning essays.
Five of the winners received a $100 check that they in turn presented to the nonprofit they wrote about. The grand prize winner received a check for $300, which they also presented to their nonprofit.
The contest in Charlevoix began 15 years ago and was inspired by the essay contest in Boyne City and is named after Charlevoix Kiwanis member Merle Vandenberg, who was a substitute teacher in the schools until his passing.
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The 2023 winners were Madison Lasky, Katelynn Rhode, Elizabeth Fruk, Kylee Vincent, Ainsley Weirs and Victoria Brodin.
Madison Lasky is a fifth grader attending St. Mary School and her essay was on the Charlevoix County Humane Society.
Katelynn Rhode is a fifth grader attending Charlevoix Elementary School and her essay was on The Arc, a program that supports individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
Elizabeth Fruk is a fifth grader attending Charlevoix Elementary School and her essay was on Camp Daggett.
Kylee Vincent is a fifth grader attending Charlevoix Elementary School and her essay won the Grand Prize and was written about Safe Haven Ministries. Kylee personally volunteered last summer in the Games and Grub program.
Ainsley Weirs is a fifth grader attending Charlevoix Elementary School and her essay was written about Feed My Starving Children, a nationwide program that provides food to children in need. Most recently food was sent to Ukraine.
Victoria Brodin is a fifth grader attending Charlevoix Elementary School and her essay was about The Charlevoix Food Pantry.
The Charlevoix Kiwanis Club said it is grateful for the sponsors for this year’s event: 4 Front Credit Union, EJ, Bigby Coffee, Charlevoix Cherry Republic, The Clothing Company,RGM Services and the members of the Charlevoix Kiwanis Club.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231)675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com. Follow her on Twitter, @adoylenews.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Winners named in annual Kiwanis Vandenberg Essay Contest
