Honorees

2010 Child of Appalachia Writing Contest

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is pleased to share winners of the 5th Annual Child of Appalachia Writing Contest, including 264 students and teachers from across the region.

The “2010 I’m a Child of Appalachia Writing Contest Booklet”- is available online and contains the 2010 winning student submissions.  A special thank you to the Walmart Foundation for sponsoring the contest booklet design and printing.

This year’s contest, which was open to all 4th through 9th grade Appalachian Ohio students, asked participants to put on their entrepreneurial thinking caps and respond to the question, “if you could invent something, what would it be and what problem would it solve?” Through its ongoing partnership with the Walmart Foundation, FAO will award each of the 132 winning students a $50 Walmart Gift Card, and their teacher will be awarded a $500 mini-grant for classroom enrichment.

“Walmart’s partnership with FAO has been a significant benefit to Appalachian Ohio, and is providing increased access to educational opportunities for our region’s youth,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO President and CEO. “Through the writing contest, students engage in discussions with parents and teachers, enabling them to build their confidence. In addition, our educators receive support in providing additional experiences for their students.”

Walmart’s partnership also supported a field trip drawing for classrooms participating in the contest, with winning teachers planning a field trip aligning with their current curriculum, and the three classroom winners include:

• Barb Knapp’s Millersburg Elementary 4th Grade Classroom, Holmes County
• Kara Harrison’s Dawson-Bryant Middle School 7th Grade Classroom, Lawrence County
• Susan Pratt’s Morgan High School 9th Grade Classroom, Morgan County

 “Walmart is proud to once again support the Foundation for Appalachia Ohio and its programs that broaden the education opportunities for the students and teachers in Ohio’s Appalachian region,” said David Gose, Regional General Manager for Walmart’s southern Ohio region. “Through the State Giving Program, the Walmart Foundation supports organizations with programs that align with our mission to create opportunities so people can live better. We appreciate and share in the Foundation for Appalachia Ohio’s belief that education is critical to the well-being of all.”

The Foundation believes one of the most important ways we can shape a positive future for Appalachian Ohio is by encouraging our region's youth to believe in their ability to succeed. Through the Child of Appalachia Writing Contest and in partnership with the Walmart Foundation, FAO is working to prompt thoughts and conversation in classrooms across the region with positive messages to instill the mindsets and confidence necessary for success.

This year's winners include:

Ashtabula County
Kate Brand, 4th Grade
Mrs. Moody, Rock Creek Elementary

Fern Wentzel, 5th Grade
Ms. Mullins, Gateway Elementary

Kiyana Williams, 6th Grade
Ms. Coughlin, Lakeside Intermediate

Haley Holden, 8th
Ms. Kray, Braden Jr. High School

Athens County
Ireland Morton, 4th Grade
Ms. Yinger, Nelsonville-York Elementary

Ishan Matta, 5th Grade
Leigh Schwarzel, Morrison Elementary

Richard Hwang, 7th Grade
Ms. Kight, Athens Middle School

Taylor Gates, 8th Grade
Mrs. Erin Ripple, Federal Hocking Middle School

Belmont County
Maddie Dubiel, 4th Grade
Mrs. Miller, Union Local Elementary

Andrea Bungard, 5th Grade
Ms. Minger, Leona Middle School

Kaitlynn Clark-Patterson, 6th Grade
Sheryl Sonk, Union Local Middle School

Seth Anderson, 7th Grade
Ms. Elizabeth Diaz, Union Local Middle School

Rosemary Lancaster, 8th Grade
Kelly Butler, Union Local Middle School

Brown County    
Caitlyn Richey, 9th Grade
Jessica McNair, Georgetown High School

Carroll County
Diana Gomez, 5th Grade
Allison Oldfield, Carrollton Elementary

Mark Mayle, 6th Grade
Ms. Vanhorn, Malvern Middle School

Payton  Brown, 8th Grade
Andy Mangun, Bell Herron Middle School

Clermont County
Elizabeth McCarthy, 4th Grade
Carol Clifford, Batavia Elementary

Kristina Cass, 6th Grade
Barbara Clark, Glen Este Middle School

Brandi Brock, 7th Grade
Barbara Clark, Glen Este Middle School

Samantha Crooks, 9th Grade
Mrs. Deuer, Goshen High School

Columbiana County
Kathryn Chludzinski, 4th Grade
Kay Washam, McKinley Elementary

Robert Adams, 5th Grade
Danielle Meek, Beaver Local Middle School

Kole Zellers, 6th Grade
Ms. Barto, St. Paul School

Jarrod Polen, 7th Grade
Shawnae Carlisle, Salem Junior High School

Michelle Santini, 8th Grade
Shawnae Carlisle, Salem Junior High School

Nicolas Dean, 9th Grade
Lisa Wycoff, Crestview High School

Coshocton County
Cole Cognion, 4th Grade
Ms. McPherson, Ridgewood Middle

Palmer Erb, 5th Grade
Ms. Claxon, Ridgewood Middle

Mykahia Alverson, 6th Grade
Mr. Meiser, South Lawn Elementary

Nichole Hepner, 7th Grade
Ms. Bell, River View Junior High School

Darci Farley, 8th Grade
Mr. Dickson, River View Junior High School

Nova McCormick, 9th Grade
Ms. Meiser, River View High School

Gallia County
Brody Sauer, 4th Grade
Ms. Saunders, Green Elementary

Hana Marcum, 5th Grade
Ms. Walker, Southwestern

Aundrea Yates, 6th Grade
Mr. Mayes, Gallia Academy Middle School

Tianna Qualls, 7th Grade
Ms. Hatfield, River Valley Middle School

Kayla Johnson, 8th Grade
Ms. Deel, River Valley Middle School

Maggie Clagg, 9th Grade
Ms. Spencer, Gallia Academy High School

Guernsey County
Hailie Peterson, 4th Grade
Amelia Orr, Byesville Elementary

Anaka Theodosopoulos, 5th Grade
Marcia Winnett and Trudi Taylor, Central Elementary

Robert Moore, 6th Grade
Lisa Eibel, Meadowbrook Middle School

Matthew Stemmer, 7th Grade
Dale Valentine, Meadowbrook Middle School

Seth Adkins, 8th Grade
Dawn Lamphar, Buckeye Trail Middle School

Teagan Price, 9th Grade
Karrie Bickford, Meadowbrook High School

Harrison County
Caden Arbaugh, 5th Grade
Ms. Cook, Harrison North Elementary

Shelby Huff, 8th Grade
Ms. Enold, Conolton Valley

Highland County
Christian Hill, 7th Grade
Tami Ellis-Wessner, Whiteoak Junior High School

Cynthia Wardlow, 8th Grade
Barb Cook, Greenfield Middle School

Grace Brownsberger, 5th Grade
Amanda Vesey, Lynchburg Clay Elementary

Whitney Blazer, 6th Grade
Mr. McGinnis, Greenfield Middle School

Hocking County
Sharlyn Sinift, 5th Grade
Ms. Hayward, Logan Hocking Middle School

Riley Kelch, 6th Grade
Ms. Hayward, Logan Hocking Middle School

Nathan Kudlapur, 7th Grade
Kellie Hayden, Logan-Hocking Middle School

Laikyn Lovas, 8th Grade
Kellie Hayden, Logan-Hocking Middle School

Vashti Williams, 9th Grade
Lynn Avery, Logan High School

Holmes County
Kae-Lynn Murphy, 4th Grade
Barb Knapp, Millersburg Elementary

Jason Abraham, 5th Grade
Sandra Frase, Millersburg Elem.

Joseph Agha-Khan, 6th Grade
Jenny Bauer, Winesburg Elem.

Charlie Schlabach, 7th Grade
Virginia Woodring, Hiland Middle Sch.

Chloe Torrence, 8th Grade
Mary Myrick, Hiland Middle Sch.

Jackson County
Sarah Lipscomb, 4th Grade
Homeschool

Alyssa Proehl, 5th Grade
Mrs. Moore, Southview

Kennedy Riegel, 7th Grade
Tonya Wilt, Jackson Middle School

Jefferson County
Abriel Barcus, 4th Grade
Linda Bartrug, Buckeye North Elementary

Brittany Jenkins, 6th Grade
Kathi Celestin, Buckeye North Elementary

Bryanna Grimm, 7th Grade
Darlene Mason, Springfield Middle School

Amanda Barbarossa, 8th Grade
Mrs. Terri Barath, Buckeye Local Junior High

Katie Oiler, 9th Grade
Jodi Rielly, Buckeye Local High School

Lawrence County
Kristin Boshears, 4th Grade
Lori Deer, Dawson Bryant Elementary

Khylee Shae Keaton, 5th Grade
Mrs. Back, Dawson-Bryant Elementary

Brianna Russell, 6th Grade
Cassie Myers, South Point Middle School

Chase Jenkins, 7th Grade
Kara Harrison, Dawson Bryant Middle School

Danielle Mathes, 8th Grade
Carrie Holland, Dawson Bryant Middle School

David Ferguson, 9th Grade
Ms. Metzger, Ironton High School

Mahoning County
Nick Lyons, 4th Grade
Elaine Morlan, Dobbins Elementary

Sarah Jarvis, 5th Grade
Mrs. Samblanet, Knox Elementary – West Branch

Erica Whittenberger, 6th Grade
Mary Lou Thacker, Canfield Village MS

Jared Rothbauer, 7th Grade
Melissa Nagy, Canfield Village Middle School

Tara Rogers, 8th Grade
Melissa Nagy, Canfield Village Middle School

Kristyn Wolf, 9th Grade
Mrs. Crilley, Boardman High School

Meigs County
Mallory Johnson, 4th Grade
Sammy Barr, Southern Elementary

Monroe County
Katelyn Huck, 4th Grade
Angie Binegar, Skyvue Elementary

Patrick Stephens, 6th Grade
Annette Mobley, Woodsfield Elementary School

Katelyn Cox, 7th Grade
Tammy Matz, Skyvue Elementary

Ciara Smith, 8th Grade
Tammy Matz, Skyvue Elementary

Eric Ward, 9th Grade
Kelly Meade, Monroe Central High School

Morgan County
Kyler Taylor, 4th Grade
Allyson Hook, East Elementary

Lyndsey Johnson, 5th Grade
Mrs. Paula Finley, East Elementary

Emma Heigley, 6th Grade
Mrs. Kay, Morgan West Elementary

Caroline Martin, 7th Grade
Kelley Huck, Morgan Junior High

Devin Blair, 8th Grade
Kim Garrett, Morgan Junior High

Jennie Chordas, 9th Grade
Susan Pratt, Morgan High School

Muskingum County
Keegan Bumpus, 4th Grade
Cynthia Lawyer, Dresden Elementary

Madison Dodd, 5th Grade
Susan Larson, Larry Miller Intermediate

Matthew Pitcock, 6th Grade
Beth McGee, Maysville Middle School

Ashley Weeks, 7th Grade
Mrs. Gail Calcasola, West Muskingum Middle School

Megan Sullivan, 8th Grade
Ms. Larson, East Muskingum Middle School

Haley Weaver, 9th Grade
Jennifer Stotts, Maysville High School

Noble County
Kolby Rayner, 7th Grade
Ms. Klinger, Caldwell Elementary School

Madison Burris, 8th Grade
Ms. Hearing, Caldwell Elementary School

Perry County
Heath Bidwell, 4th Grade
Debbie Hoskinson, Millcreek Elementary School

Lindsey Mason, 5th Grade
Kristen Filkins, Crooksville Elementary

Cody Robinson, 9th Grade
Mollie Earich, Franklin Local Community School

Pike County
Abbigail Overly, 6th Grade
Ms. Brown, Eastern Middle School

Dustin Branscomb, 7th Grade
Ms. Day, Western High School

Kyle Dart, 8th Grade
Ms. Day, Western High School

Ross County
John Slater, 4th Grade
Nancy Ames, Bishop Flaget

Hunter Henneberger, 5th Grade
Stacey DePugh, Huntington Elem.

Christopher Jarrett Schneider, 6th Grade
Stacey Groff, Adena Middle School

Kaitlynn Mickey, 8th Grade
Nancy Ames, Bishop Flaget

Jacob Hirsch, 9th Grade
Sara Swenson, Chillicothe High School

Scioto County
Mason Rose, 4th Grade
Mrs. Sharon Teufel, Northwest Elementary

Jacob Easter, 5th Grade   
Ms. Bentley, Wheelersburg Middle School

Andrew Turner, 6th Grade
Becky Campbell, East Portsmouth Elementary

Oliver Rudmann, 7th Grade
Robin Seaman, Minford Middle School

Mark Allen, 8th Grade
Michelle Singleton, Green Jr/Sr High School

Trumbull County
Madeleine Morton, 4th Grade
Mrs. Joyce Mahan, Washington

Charles Marin, 6th Grade
Connie Sheridan, Neal Middle

Mohommad Esmail, 7th Grade
Ms. Carbone, LEAD Academy

Gabrielle Chapman, 8th Grade
Jodi Pleacher, LaBrae Middle School

Tuscarawas County
Claire Barnett, 4th Grade
Carisa Pryor, East Elementary

Macy Lautenschleger, 5th Grade
Leeanne Alsept, Central Elementary

Carra Popadak, 6th Grade
Mrs. Cline, Newcomerstown MS

Autumn Gardner, 7th Grade
Mrs. McKeivier, Indian Valley Middle School

Jenna Grewell, 8th Grade
Mrs. Anderson, Newcomerstown Middle School

Tori Gonzales, 9th Grade
Amy Rossi, Claymont High School

Vinton County
Kendall Fee, 4th Grade
Mr. Ward, West Elementary

Hannah Webb, 5th Grade
Amanda Frasure, Central Elementary

Nehemiah Baldwin, 6th Grade
Megan Macke, Vinton Co. M.S.

Mary Kate Timms, 7th Grade
Judy Belcher, Vinton Co. Middle School

Lauren Hopkins, 9th Grade
Ms. Wolford, Vinton Co. High School