To commemorate Black History Month, fifth-grade students in all five Auburn Enlaårged City School District elementary schools wrote and submitted essays for the Auburn Human Rights Commission's Favorite African-American Essay Contest. A record-breaking 361 essays, videos and artwork were submitted. During an awards ceremony and reception at Auburn Memorial City Hall Wednesday, the commission presented 50 students with awards for their work. All of the essays submitted are posted on the walls of city hall this month.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Casey Park Elementary School fifth-grader Nicholas Remaley receives his award for a poem he wrote about Gov. David Paterson. Handing out the awards were, from left, executive director of the Human Rights Commission Merritt Fletcher, chairperson Fred Richardson and Auburn Mayor Michael Quill.
Casey Park Elementary School fifth-grader Nicholas Remaley receives his award for a poem he wrote about Gov. David Paterson. Handing out the awards were, from left, executive director of the Human Rights Commission Merritt Fletcher, chairperson Fred Richardson and Auburn Mayor Michael Quill.
Readers can look for the winning entries on Sundays and Mondays in The Citizen throughout the month of February, beginning today with essays from Casey Park Elementary School students.
Editor's note: The following poems and essays are republished just as they were received, without corrections.
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph was the first American woman who won three gold medals in the Olympic Games. She was known as the Tennessee Tornado. She was boarn June 23, 1940 in St. Bethehem, Tennessee. She was the twentieth child out of twenty two. At age five, she had polio. She perserved and got better. While at Burt High School, she was spotted by Tennessee State track and field coach Edward S. Temple. She went there and ran on the track team.
Rudolph won the Associationed Press Woman Athelte of the Year in 1960 and 1961. She was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983. In 1994, she was inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame.
In July 1994, Wilma was diagnosed with brain and throat cancer. On November 12, 1994, she died of cancer.
Wilma Rudolph is my favorite African American because she faced challenges and won. She showed that women can compete and achieve anything they put their minds to. Wilma gave hope to others that even though she had an illness, Wilma was able to overcome it and succeed.
She taught us by working, our goal, even with difficulties, can be achieved. It doesn't matter what our ethnic background or our financial status is, we can do anything we set our minds to. Wilma is a role model for everyone. Wilma Rudolph was an inspiration to us all.
By Celine O'Connor
Alphabet Poem
Gertrude Richardson.
Angel, beautiful, compassionate,
delightful, enchanting,
fancy, grandma,
historical, interesting, jewel,
kind, lovely,
mother, nice,
outstanding, perfect, queen,
radiant, sunshine, talented,
unique, valuable,
wonderful,
Xtraordinary,
youthful,
zestful
By Shekima Pilot and Christy Weidner
Duke Ellington
My person is Duke Ellington, he was a famous jazz composer. His real name is Edward Kennedy Ellington. He was born on April 29, 1899 in Washington D.C. Ellington was the 1st of 2 kids his mom had. His mom's name is Daisy Kennedy Ellington and his dad's name is James Edward. Duke wrote over 2,000 pieces of music. Some of his music was Mood Indigo, Sophisticated Lady, and Solitude. By the time he was 17 he was a professional pianist and was playing at club parties. In 1923 he moved to New York City and made a ten person band. Through the 1930's his band was playing at theaters, night clubs, and on the radio. Later Duke Ellington met a man named Billy Syrayhorn. Billy was a pianist and wrote songs for Dukes band. One of the many songs is Take the “A” trainman. May 24, 1974 Duke Ellington died, but no one will never forget Duke Ellington. Duke Ellington is my favorite African American Of Achievement because he brought jazz back to life in the 1900's.
By Tyler Mckeen
My favorite African American of Achievement is Devin Hester. I picked him because he is a good role model. Devin Hester was born on November 4, 1982. He was born in Riviera Beach, Florida. He is a current NFL player. He plays for the Chicago Bears. He is a punt returner. He was drafted in 2006 for the Chicago Bears. He went to the University of Miami, Florida. He made history in the Super Bowl by running back the opening kickoff for a touchdown. He was in the pro bowl two times, in 2006 and 2007. It was Devin Hester's rookie year when the Bears went to the Super Bowl. He was the all time in receiving yards. He is a receiver now and as a punt returner he has 15 total touchdowns. Devin Hester is a good role model because he helps the NFL get money for less fortunate people. He and other players raise money for different organizations. He tells kids all around the world to be active and physically fit. I picked Devin Hester because he is a good role model and I love the Chicago Bears!
By Kevin Deyo
John Lewis
John Lewis was born on February 21, 1940, in Troy Alabama. He was the son of Meline Thas. Lewis was educated at the American Baptist Theological Seminary and at Fisk University, in Nashville, Tennessee where he became active in the local sit-in movement. In 1961, Lewis joined SNCC in freedom rides. The sit-ins caused death threats to start and Lewis and other members to get beaten because some people thought that African American's shouldn't get the same rights as white people.
John Lewis is my favorite African American of achievement because he took civil rights to a whole new level. I think John Lewis has taken it to a new level because he has done so much for African American people and their rights. He was active in sit-ins and freedom walks with the SNCC to prevent racism. Racism is bad becasue random people get criticized becasue of their race or color. Plus he is in the House of Representatives from Georgia's fifth district. In September 2007 he was awarded the Dole Leadership Prize. This is why John Lewis is my favorite African American of Achievement.
By James Minde
A girl was born on November 20, 1924 in Brooklyn New York and that was Shirley Chisholm. When Shirley was three her parents sent her to her grandmother's, they stayed and they hoped of getting ahead financially. When she was six she attended the country's stirctest schools. She graduated in 1946 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. She began evening classes at University. Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman who was elected to the house of Representatives in 1968. In 1970 Chisholm published her autobiography, “Unbought and Unboss,” which has details of her life from childhood to Congress. Shirley Chisholm still strived for more. On January 25, 1972 Chisholm became the first African American woman to seek a major political party nomination. After she announced her candidacy for the President, Bill Clinton nominated Shirley Chisholm to be the US Ambassador to Jamaica. Shirley Chisholm died in 2005.
Shirley Chisholm is my favorite African American of achievenment because she was the first African American to became elected to the house in 1968. It is interesting to read about her life and what she did. She is so important because she was the first African American to become a Congress woman and make rules and laws. She was brave and didn't care what color she was that mattered was that she became the first african american woman to be elected for Congress. She encouraged people to try no matter what color they were, just try. I think Shirley Chisholm is interesting and amazing and I think all of you should read about her.
By Emily Nguyen
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth protested the widespread discrimination against slavery and women. She made a difference in the world. Truth was born in 1797 in Hurley, New York. Her parents were James and Betsy Baumfree. They were slaves owned by a man named Colonel Ardinburgh. Truth had eleven other siblings, and most of them were sold as slaves. When Truth was a baby, her mother died. Truth's bondage was cut short in a law passed in New York. The law stated that slaves born in 1799 were to be freed.
In 1828, Truth was now a mother and had to find a place to live with her baby. Truth was a free woman but not free from hardship.
Later in her life, she claimed to have seen Jesus in a vision. So Truth moved to New York City to work with various religious communities. She worked with a man named Mr. Pierson. Not long after, Pierson was murdered. Robert Matthias was arrested for the murder of Mr. Pierson. Truth was accused for helping Robert murder Pierson. At the same time, church members accused her of poisoning them. The case went to court, and Truth was found innocent.
In 1845, Truth had another vision whiere God told her to change her name to Sojourner Truth and to preach. She traveled from Long Island to Connecticut to preach. She made up her speeches as she went along. Soon she met up with Frederick Douglass. With his help, she began speaking about abolition of slavery peppering her speeches with her experiences on being a slave. With his help, she published her life story in 1850, the same year she bought a house in Michigan. On November 26, 1883, she died at the age of 86. She had a very fulfilled life.
She is my favorite African American of Achievement because she worked to fight slavery and made the world a better place. She was a very brave person.
By Emily Lawton
Gavriel Bol Deng
My favorite African American of Achievement is Gabriel Bol Deng. He is my favorite because he is wonderful role model. Gabriel was born in 1977 in Sudan. Gabriel had to overcome many obstacles. Gabriel first learned English by writing on the sand and cardboard. When he was ten years old he fled his village after a violent attack. When he left his village he didn't know were his family was.
Gabriel began a four month trip across the Nile River and harsh desert to reach Ethiopia. He survived disease, and hunger. Four years later he left from violence again. Gabriel left Ethiopia and traveled to Keneya. Again he survived dangers and wild animals. He even hid in a tree from a lion for days!
Finally he received help from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, he earned an education a the Kakuma Refugee Camp. In 2001 Gabriel came to our country. He earned degrees from Onondaga Community College and Le Moyne College. In 2007 Gabriel returned to Sudan to look for his family. He also visited our school. He is interested in building schools in Ariang.
He is my favorite African American of Achievement because when he came to our school, he inspired me with his story. Gabriel has many awards and honors. For example he got the Servant Leader Award and the Student Teacher of the year award. At Casey Park we are helping Gabriel raise money for Sudan. Gabriel is my role model.
By Kodi Kellogg
Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman was born in Atlanta, Texas where she grew up dirt poor. She was the tenth out of thirteen children. Her mother was Susan Coleman and her dad was George Coleman. Both of her parents were sharecroppers. Bessie began school at the age of six were she had to walk four miles to an all black one room school. Bessie completed all eight grades at that school. At the age of twelve Bessie was accepted into a Missionary Baptist Church. When she turned eighteen she took her savings and used them to enroll into the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University. She went to live with her two brothers in Chicago, Illinois. Bessie brothers' teased her about wanting to be a pilot. They told her that French people were better pilots than African American pilots. They said they were better because they were already pilots. So then she took a French class at the Berlitz School in Chicago. When she traveled to Paris on November 20, 1920, Bessie learned to fly a Nievport type 82 biplane. Then finally on June 15, 1921 Bessie got her international aviation license from the Federation Aeronautique International. Not only did she do that but she was the first African woman in the world to earn an aviation pilot license. Bessie was the only one out of sixty two candidates to receive her license from the course. Then on April 30, 1926 in Jacksonville, Florida, Bessie Colenman died.
Bessie Coleman is my favorite African American of achievement because even though she was black she did not give up on her dream of becoming an international pilot. I think what Bessie Coleman did was so important because even though she was black she did not give up on what she believed in. Bessie was successful and got her pilots license. That took a lot of hard work to do. She changed the life of black people because now you can be a pilot if you're black or white. I think it really took a lot of hard work to do. Bessie still did not give up and stayed faithful to herself, and that is all that matters.
By Audriana Wilson
Note: Some essays do not have titles.
Monday, Feb. 9, essays by students from
Genesee Elementary School will be published.
Editor's note: The following poems and essays are republished just as they were received, without corrections.
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph was the first American woman who won three gold medals in the Olympic Games. She was known as the Tennessee Tornado. She was boarn June 23, 1940 in St. Bethehem, Tennessee. She was the twentieth child out of twenty two. At age five, she had polio. She perserved and got better. While at Burt High School, she was spotted by Tennessee State track and field coach Edward S. Temple. She went there and ran on the track team.
Rudolph won the Associationed Press Woman Athelte of the Year in 1960 and 1961. She was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983. In 1994, she was inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame.
In July 1994, Wilma was diagnosed with brain and throat cancer. On November 12, 1994, she died of cancer.
Wilma Rudolph is my favorite African American because she faced challenges and won. She showed that women can compete and achieve anything they put their minds to. Wilma gave hope to others that even though she had an illness, Wilma was able to overcome it and succeed.
She taught us by working, our goal, even with difficulties, can be achieved. It doesn't matter what our ethnic background or our financial status is, we can do anything we set our minds to. Wilma is a role model for everyone. Wilma Rudolph was an inspiration to us all.
By Celine O'Connor
Alphabet Poem
Gertrude Richardson.
Angel, beautiful, compassionate,
delightful, enchanting,
fancy, grandma,
historical, interesting, jewel,
kind, lovely,
mother, nice,
outstanding, perfect, queen,
radiant, sunshine, talented,
unique, valuable,
wonderful,
Xtraordinary,
youthful,
zestful
By Shekima Pilot and Christy Weidner
Duke Ellington
My person is Duke Ellington, he was a famous jazz composer. His real name is Edward Kennedy Ellington. He was born on April 29, 1899 in Washington D.C. Ellington was the 1st of 2 kids his mom had. His mom's name is Daisy Kennedy Ellington and his dad's name is James Edward. Duke wrote over 2,000 pieces of music. Some of his music was Mood Indigo, Sophisticated Lady, and Solitude. By the time he was 17 he was a professional pianist and was playing at club parties. In 1923 he moved to New York City and made a ten person band. Through the 1930's his band was playing at theaters, night clubs, and on the radio. Later Duke Ellington met a man named Billy Syrayhorn. Billy was a pianist and wrote songs for Dukes band. One of the many songs is Take the “A” trainman. May 24, 1974 Duke Ellington died, but no one will never forget Duke Ellington. Duke Ellington is my favorite African American Of Achievement because he brought jazz back to life in the 1900's.
By Tyler Mckeen
My favorite African American of Achievement is Devin Hester. I picked him because he is a good role model. Devin Hester was born on November 4, 1982. He was born in Riviera Beach, Florida. He is a current NFL player. He plays for the Chicago Bears. He is a punt returner. He was drafted in 2006 for the Chicago Bears. He went to the University of Miami, Florida. He made history in the Super Bowl by running back the opening kickoff for a touchdown. He was in the pro bowl two times, in 2006 and 2007. It was Devin Hester's rookie year when the Bears went to the Super Bowl. He was the all time in receiving yards. He is a receiver now and as a punt returner he has 15 total touchdowns. Devin Hester is a good role model because he helps the NFL get money for less fortunate people. He and other players raise money for different organizations. He tells kids all around the world to be active and physically fit. I picked Devin Hester because he is a good role model and I love the Chicago Bears!
By Kevin Deyo
John Lewis
John Lewis was born on February 21, 1940, in Troy Alabama. He was the son of Meline Thas. Lewis was educated at the American Baptist Theological Seminary and at Fisk University, in Nashville, Tennessee where he became active in the local sit-in movement. In 1961, Lewis joined SNCC in freedom rides. The sit-ins caused death threats to start and Lewis and other members to get beaten because some people thought that African American's shouldn't get the same rights as white people.
John Lewis is my favorite African American of achievement because he took civil rights to a whole new level. I think John Lewis has taken it to a new level because he has done so much for African American people and their rights. He was active in sit-ins and freedom walks with the SNCC to prevent racism. Racism is bad becasue random people get criticized becasue of their race or color. Plus he is in the House of Representatives from Georgia's fifth district. In September 2007 he was awarded the Dole Leadership Prize. This is why John Lewis is my favorite African American of Achievement.
By James Minde
A girl was born on November 20, 1924 in Brooklyn New York and that was Shirley Chisholm. When Shirley was three her parents sent her to her grandmother's, they stayed and they hoped of getting ahead financially. When she was six she attended the country's stirctest schools. She graduated in 1946 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. She began evening classes at University. Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman who was elected to the house of Representatives in 1968. In 1970 Chisholm published her autobiography, “Unbought and Unboss,” which has details of her life from childhood to Congress. Shirley Chisholm still strived for more. On January 25, 1972 Chisholm became the first African American woman to seek a major political party nomination. After she announced her candidacy for the President, Bill Clinton nominated Shirley Chisholm to be the US Ambassador to Jamaica. Shirley Chisholm died in 2005.
Shirley Chisholm is my favorite African American of achievenment because she was the first African American to became elected to the house in 1968. It is interesting to read about her life and what she did. She is so important because she was the first African American to become a Congress woman and make rules and laws. She was brave and didn't care what color she was that mattered was that she became the first african american woman to be elected for Congress. She encouraged people to try no matter what color they were, just try. I think Shirley Chisholm is interesting and amazing and I think all of you should read about her.
By Emily Nguyen
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth protested the widespread discrimination against slavery and women. She made a difference in the world. Truth was born in 1797 in Hurley, New York. Her parents were James and Betsy Baumfree. They were slaves owned by a man named Colonel Ardinburgh. Truth had eleven other siblings, and most of them were sold as slaves. When Truth was a baby, her mother died. Truth's bondage was cut short in a law passed in New York. The law stated that slaves born in 1799 were to be freed.
In 1828, Truth was now a mother and had to find a place to live with her baby. Truth was a free woman but not free from hardship.
Later in her life, she claimed to have seen Jesus in a vision. So Truth moved to New York City to work with various religious communities. She worked with a man named Mr. Pierson. Not long after, Pierson was murdered. Robert Matthias was arrested for the murder of Mr. Pierson. Truth was accused for helping Robert murder Pierson. At the same time, church members accused her of poisoning them. The case went to court, and Truth was found innocent.
In 1845, Truth had another vision whiere God told her to change her name to Sojourner Truth and to preach. She traveled from Long Island to Connecticut to preach. She made up her speeches as she went along. Soon she met up with Frederick Douglass. With his help, she began speaking about abolition of slavery peppering her speeches with her experiences on being a slave. With his help, she published her life story in 1850, the same year she bought a house in Michigan. On November 26, 1883, she died at the age of 86. She had a very fulfilled life.
She is my favorite African American of Achievement because she worked to fight slavery and made the world a better place. She was a very brave person.
By Emily Lawton
Gavriel Bol Deng
My favorite African American of Achievement is Gabriel Bol Deng. He is my favorite because he is wonderful role model. Gabriel was born in 1977 in Sudan. Gabriel had to overcome many obstacles. Gabriel first learned English by writing on the sand and cardboard. When he was ten years old he fled his village after a violent attack. When he left his village he didn't know were his family was.
Gabriel began a four month trip across the Nile River and harsh desert to reach Ethiopia. He survived disease, and hunger. Four years later he left from violence again. Gabriel left Ethiopia and traveled to Keneya. Again he survived dangers and wild animals. He even hid in a tree from a lion for days!
Finally he received help from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, he earned an education a the Kakuma Refugee Camp. In 2001 Gabriel came to our country. He earned degrees from Onondaga Community College and Le Moyne College. In 2007 Gabriel returned to Sudan to look for his family. He also visited our school. He is interested in building schools in Ariang.
He is my favorite African American of Achievement because when he came to our school, he inspired me with his story. Gabriel has many awards and honors. For example he got the Servant Leader Award and the Student Teacher of the year award. At Casey Park we are helping Gabriel raise money for Sudan. Gabriel is my role model.
By Kodi Kellogg
Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman was born in Atlanta, Texas where she grew up dirt poor. She was the tenth out of thirteen children. Her mother was Susan Coleman and her dad was George Coleman. Both of her parents were sharecroppers. Bessie began school at the age of six were she had to walk four miles to an all black one room school. Bessie completed all eight grades at that school. At the age of twelve Bessie was accepted into a Missionary Baptist Church. When she turned eighteen she took her savings and used them to enroll into the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University. She went to live with her two brothers in Chicago, Illinois. Bessie brothers' teased her about wanting to be a pilot. They told her that French people were better pilots than African American pilots. They said they were better because they were already pilots. So then she took a French class at the Berlitz School in Chicago. When she traveled to Paris on November 20, 1920, Bessie learned to fly a Nievport type 82 biplane. Then finally on June 15, 1921 Bessie got her international aviation license from the Federation Aeronautique International. Not only did she do that but she was the first African woman in the world to earn an aviation pilot license. Bessie was the only one out of sixty two candidates to receive her license from the course. Then on April 30, 1926 in Jacksonville, Florida, Bessie Colenman died.
Bessie Coleman is my favorite African American of achievement because even though she was black she did not give up on her dream of becoming an international pilot. I think what Bessie Coleman did was so important because even though she was black she did not give up on what she believed in. Bessie was successful and got her pilots license. That took a lot of hard work to do. She changed the life of black people because now you can be a pilot if you're black or white. I think it really took a lot of hard work to do. Bessie still did not give up and stayed faithful to herself, and that is all that matters.
By Audriana Wilson
Note: Some essays do not have titles.
Monday, Feb. 9, essays by students from
Genesee Elementary School will be published.
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