wins essay contest Celine Augustyn, a fourth-grader at Churchville Elementary School, was selected to receive a special honorable mention in an essay contest sponsored by Haemi Balgassi, author of the book, Peacebound Trains. Celine's essay titled, "A Special Ring," tells the story of how Celine saved her money to buy a ring for her oldest sister's birthday. Her sister wanted this ring, "for all her life," said Celine. Her essay also describes how surprised and shocked her sister was when she opened this special gift. Celine wrote this essay as part of an English Language Arts enrichment unit taught by fourth-grade teacher Lisa Wagner and enrichment teacher Cassandra King. During this ELA enrichment unit, Celine and other CES students read the book, Peacebound Trains, by Haemi Balgassi and researched the book and author via the internet. On her website, Balgassi posted information on how students could enter an essay contest. To enter this contest, students needed to write an essay or poem about a memorable gift - one they received or gave. CES fourth-grade students were encouraged to write an essay to enter. Celine received an autographed copy of Peacebound Trains as a prize. |
