The Cumberland County School system recently announced the winners of its first essay contest in observance of the Month of the Military Child (MOMC). They are as follows:

• K – 2^nd Grade Category: Kanylia Reid, a first grader at Cumberland Road Elementary School
• 3^rd – 5^th Grade Category: Sierra Tursich, a fifth grader at Long Hill Elementary School
• 6^th – 8^th Grade Category: Darryl Gerow, an eighth grader at Pine Forest Middle School; and
• 9^th – 12^th Grade Category: Wendall Horton, an 11^th grader at Jack Britt High School.

Kanylia and Sierra received a $25 gift certificate to the Fun, Fun, Fun entertainment complex, while Darryl and Wendall were awarded a $50 gift certificate to the Cross Creek Mall.

The students based their winning essays on this year’s topic: “I am a hero of the future,” which was derived from the Army Teen Panel’s theme for the month of April.  Brief excerpts from their essays are as follows:

• Kanylia wrote, “In the future, I will be a hero by protecting people.”
• Sierra wrote in her essay that she gains strength from her military parent. “I can handle everything and anything with my head held high and my right hand across my chest.”

• Darryl wrote, “I will be a hero to my kids by helping them. Also, by showing them right from wrong.”

• Wendall wrote that his experiences as a military child helped shape his future endeavors. “The adventures of a military family provided the drive and determination for me to achieve my purpose in this world and design the infrastructure of the future.”

The essay contest was created to allow military students the opportunity to express what they feel are their contributions to society.