The Richmond Times-Dispatch, Library of Virginia and JRW Are Proud to Announce the 2008 Winners of the Student Writing Contest

The 2008 student essay contest prompt was:

Civil rights activist and writer Sarah Boyle (1906-1994) was guided by these words from humanitarian Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965): "Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It's the only thing." Write about a person who has influenced you by his or her example. What did he/she do, and how were you changed?

The First Place Winner in our Secondary Category was Delaney Downs, 8th grader at New Kent Middle School. Read the essay.

The First Place Winner in our Elementary School Category was Doncarlos Clark, 4th grader at Clarksville Elementary School. Read the essay.

For more information and other winning essays, go to The Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Delaney Downs, 8th grader at New Kent Middle School.

Lady of Leadership

Oprah Winfrey once said that “I believe you’re here to live your life with passion.  Otherwise, you’re just traveling through the world blindly -- and there is no point in that.”  I think that she is one of the most influential people for my generation.  I admire and aspire to be like Oprah because of her uplifting outlook on life, generosity, and her ability to come from a corrupt childhood to later become one of the most motivational women still alive today.

Firstly, I applaud Oprah’s enlightening way of living life.  After anyone watches one of her shows, the viewers feel better about themselves and sense that Oprah is their friend, rather than a talk show host on TV.  Some life lessons she has taught me, as well as her many viewers, are:  not to be afraid of success, and that everything someone does may influence them the rest of their life.  Also, I admire her values, which include, getting a good education and to appreciate and be thankful for all the things people are fortunate to have.  I respect Oprah’s inspirational outlook on life.

I strongly marvel at Oprah dedicating vast amounts of time and money to the well being of others.  Unlike many celebrities, instead of just giving money to her favorite charities, she gets involved.  For example, when she funded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, she not only gave over forty million dollars to build the school in South Africa, but she also traveled there for the opening celebration to meet some of the girls that would attend the school.  This shows me she is really dedicated to what she does, and is not just giving money to a great cause to get publicity.  Although I am not directly influenced by Oprah’s generosity, I still appreciate her efforts to make the world a better place for others.  In the future I would like to help contribute to the bettering of the world, just as Oprah has done.

One of the most inspirational things I have learned about Oprah is that she came from a troubled childhood before she became the star she is today.  Although she did very well in school, her mother tried to place her in a juvenile hall, but Oprah was refused because of the lack of beds.  She also gave birth to a premature son, who died after birth when she was only fourteen.  Her life began to turn around, finally, when her father and stepmother took Oprah into their home.  Soon after, she was voted the “most popular” in school, won a Miss Black Tennessee pageant, and got her first job in radio.  This instance of Oprah’s life proves that no one is perfect, and no matter what situation someone may be in, anyone can succeed in life.

Oprah Winfrey is an amazing, inspirational woman.  She not only teaches life lessons, and gives to people in need, she also is one of the most influential woman of our time. Hundreds of people look up to her.  Throughout her motivating life she has been, and still is, an incredible leader. Oprah Winfrey is my pick for the person that has influenced me the most.

Doncarlos Clark, 4th grader at Clarksville Elementary School

My Father

Out of all the people who have influenced me, the one I chose was my father.  The reason I chose him is because he has taught me many things.  In science, for example, he has taught me how to read the table of elements.  Under the elements, helium is commonly used for flying balloons, and sodium chloride is commonly known as table salt.  I have not memorized the periodic table yet, but I’m working on it!

My father tries his best to be a good father by spending time with me and with my family.  He tells me his funny stories and his amazing adventures all around the world.  He attempts every day to work hard around the house.  He pleases me by providing toys on Christmas and birthdays and occasionally when I do very well in school.  He makes sure that everyone in my family is well taken care of.  He attempts to help others by donating clothes, canned food, and sometimes a small donation to others who are less fortunate.

In addition, my father loves interesting stuff like airplanes and engines.  He loves fishing, boating, and scuba diving in the Caribbean. Our favorite family sport is tennis.  I watched my parents play an amazing tennis tournament.  He also likes music and writing poetry.  He meditates every day to clear his mind and stay in focus.  As far as education is concerned, he spent many years studying.  He has lived in many countries like Germany, England, and Iran, just to name a few, and studied foreign languages and other cultures.  He believes that both education and learning and respecting other cultures are very important.

My father is preparing me to be a responsible man.  “Discipline is the key,” he always says.  Fore example, he is teaching me how to split wood with an ax.  When he is changing the oil in our car, he is showing me how to do it so that someday when I get my own car, I will be able to do it myself.  He is also teaching me how to change tires.  Aside from putting me in school, he is also teaching me how to play instruments like drums and electric guitar.  I am not very good at it yet, but I am trying my best!  Maybe someday I will become a good drummer.  Dad spends time teaching me how to play tennis, as well.

Although some people view my father from a different perspective, no one knows my father better than I do.  I respect my father very much.  He is a very dedicated, sincere, and loving father.  He is constantly guiding me and persuading me to do good things each day.  My father is my role model!!