Inspiring essay winners:
Students tell why and how
they care for others

Scroll down to see photos from
the school presentations!

Six students from Caddo and Bossier Parish schools earned First-Place awards in the 2010 We Care essay contest, in which students shared why and how they care for others. These students inspired us, their teachers and their classmates with their commitment to caring! Each winner received a plaque and a $100 U.S. Savings Bond, donated by Ouachita Independent Bank. Essays were judged by the Shreveport chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction. Excerpts from the winning essays:

By Kelsey Blair
Third Grade
Platt Elementary School, Bossier City

I show that I care for others in many ways because I believe you should treat others the way you want to be treated. I help give birthday parties at the nursing home because I care for elderly people. I donated my change jar to the church to help feed hungry families in Africa because I care for my world. I wrote a note and put it in a balloon to send to a girl that went to Heaven because I care for people that are hurting. I show that I care about others because it makes me feel good.

By Karrington Stewart
Second Grade
Summerfield Elementary School, Shreveport

I care for others because some people do not have food and do not have a home. Some people’s kids are sick and the parents do not have any money to take care of them. I care for others because that is how God would want his children to act. I care for others by raising money and giving it to people that need it. If someone needs food, I will give some food to them. If someone needs clothes, I will give them whatever I cannot wear. I just love helping people.

By Maddison Benge
Seventh Grade
Donnie Bickham Middle School, Shreveport

I think it is important to care for all people whether they are tall, short, elderly or young. I show that I care for people every day with the simple things that I do. I believe that it is my responsibility to care about and help others. I always try to imagine myself in their position. What would I want them to do for me? The quote, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is my motto because it is so true. We have the choice to either be a good role model or a bad role model. I choose to be a good role model and care for others.

One way I show that I care about other people is by visiting the nursing home with a few of my peers. I love visiting the nursing home because everyone is very nice and happy to see us. Around Christmastime, we go with a group from school to sing Christmas carols and hand out candy canes. Another way I show that I care about people is by sponsoring a child in Rwanda, Africa. Most of the children in Rwanda have suffered great losses in their family; the child I sponsor has no parents. Both of his parents were killed when he was very young; he is now cared for by his uncle. I send money to let him know that someone actually cares about him, and so that he feels special.

As you can see, it is very important to help and care about people of all ages. No matter who they are, they are still people so we should care about them. I display my care for others by visiting nursing homes and sponsoring a child in Rwanda, Africa. What can you do to show that you care? It could be something as simple as holding a door open for a stranger. So I encourage you to get involved and show you care.

By Sarah Dant
Seventh Grade
Cope Middle School, Bossier City

The only thing that I have found to make me happy inside is to care, to give, to donate. It’s very hard for most people, especially me! It’s taken me all my life to realize how important it is and I still have many problems with taking more than I give. My Mom always says you get back what you give out. If you give ugliness, you get ugliness and don’t have a happy life at all! But if you give love and you care, you get loved and cared for! And that’s what life is all about!

A few things that I did to care in the past that made me feel good are giving old clothes and toys to my neighborhood friends and the local Goodwill. I have to say, I think they needed them a lot more than we did. Also, our family did a lot for the community. We volunteered for a lot of school activities and things at church. Now the most important thing I remember my family doing for someone else is something I will remember forever. One night when my Mom went to a party of some sort, she came back with the most random thing you can think of. A dog. At the party, someone asked my Mom if she would be interested in having a dog from a family who cannot take care of him anymore. When my Mom arrived at the lady’s house she learned that the dog’s name was Asaya, meaning God’s creation. When my Mom heard that, she knew the dog was meant to be ours to take care of.

We helped the lady a lot. She had two small children and her husband deployed. We lifted a lot of weight from her shoulders. She thanked us for all our help. We still have Asaya now, but he is called an easier name to remember. His name is Jake. We helped the lady and her family because we cared, and it made us feel warm inside afterwards. That is the thing I remember doing that made the biggest of differences.

There are many different ways to show that you care. Whether it’s giving up old things you don’t need anymore, or helping your neighborhood, or cleaning up random trash along the street. No matter what you do to help shows that you care. And the best part about it is that you feel great inside. That is why we care.

By Annalese Allison
Freshman
Airline High School, Bossier City

Caring for others is extremely important to me because I feel everyone should feel wanted. It could make a person’s day, to give them a compliment, or to show you care in some small way. This might help to prevent someone from making a bad decision when they know that someone else truly cares for them. Caring for someone helps to give that person a feeling of joy and warmth as they know someone is there, caring for them.

I also show care for others by exhibiting good deeds toward others. I am in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at my school. FCA is a Christian organization where one of the main focuses is raising money for the HUB, helping those that are homeless. I also help to teach little girls how to dance at Vicki’s School of Dance. I do my best to provide encouragement and to show them that I am truly glad to be there helping them. I also spend a lot of time with my family and friends, and do my best to show them how much I appreciate them.

Caring for others has a positive impact not only for those receiving care, but also for me. The overall pleasure of caring and helping others brings a smile to their faces, and also mine. Everyone you meet is going through some struggle in their own life, and by showing you care, just may ultimately help to change their life for the better. I think all of us should show care, compassion and sincerity for others in all that we do. No one is perfect all the time, but taking that extra minute to flash a smile, give a hug, or simply a listening ear, may be all that person really needs. One good deed often turns into another and, who knows, that person just may in turn be kind and caring to another person making everyone’s day brighter. I hope that I will be that person who someone can turn to when they need sincere care and compassion.

By Anna Walton
Eleventh Grade
Byrd High School, Shreveport

As a member of a community, civic service is a responsibility that should be taken seriously by everyone. However, serving my community fulfills me best when done with a kind and willing heart. Personally, I try to impact individuals first and foremost, then make a difference overall. I care for others through community service and opening my heart because it is beneficial to them as well as me.

Serving my community is second nature to me. It all started in middle school when I went out on a limb, with much encouragement from my mother, to run for Student Council. I had always tagged along to my Mom’s community projects and all the activities that she organized for my school. However, Student Council was finally going to be my “thing.” Through volunteer opportunities I participated in during the three years I was on Student Council, my passion for service developed. I still vividly remember the smiling faces at the Revel that I painted everything from whiskers to frogs on. I also recall that I purchased and read The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss to kindergarteners at Barrett Elementary. By brightening those children’s days, it brightened mine. Now, community service is a natural part of my life.

I meet so many people from drastically different walks of life when I work in the community. For example, when I worked at Camp Rainman, a camp for autistic people, it was definitely a learning experience. The counselors all opened our hearts and minds to help the campers have a great time. In addition, when I worked a Christmas community outreach festival with my church, we served food and gave presents to those in a dangerous and very poor neighborhood. However, we treated all of our fellow citizens that we met with compassion and without judgment. I just want those that are not as blessed as me to enjoy and love life as much as I do.

All of my community service is most importantly on an individual level. That way, I can personally see the difference that I am making. Also, the life that I am making a difference in brings an equal change to mine. If I can impact just one life, I know that I am doing the right thing. Community service lets me feel good about myself, and what is the harm in that?