Peabody recognizes young essay contest winners

PEABODY-Peabody?s youngest writers were recognized Friday afternoon at the George Peabody House Museum for their winning essays on the city?s “favorite son,” George Peabody.Every fall, third graders from the eight elementary schools participate in a field trip to the George Peabody House Museum and learn about the man after which their city is named.The 509 students who visited the museum this year were asked to respond to the following question in the form of an essay, story, journal entry, or letter: “If you were a philanthropist, how would you use your money to help the world?”Sean Mullins, Alexander Iatrou, and Makenzie Hery wrote the winning responses for this year?s 19th Annual Third Grade Essay Contest and read their entires to an audience of proud parents and teachers.First place essay winner Mullins had this to say: “The first thing I?d do is help the homeless?The next thing I?d do is hire people to teach the starving how to grow crops and raise animals for food. Finally, knowing education is important. I would make sure everyone, including adults, can go to school.”Mullins said he spent over two weeks working on his essay, constructing multiple drafts with Sharlene Shalkoski, his teacher at the Center School.?It was fun,” said the shy writer. “I like how (George Peabody) helped the world.”Taking second place was Iatrou, who focused his essay on providing free health care.?I would have a free health clinic in Peabody for sick people who can?t afford to go to the doctor?s. The free clinic would help sick children, teenagers, and adults,” wrote Iatrou.Hery thought Peabody was a “really nice man” who was very generous with his fortunes. She said that if she were to become a philanthropist, she would build houses in poor countries, “hire nice teachers” to teach the uneducated, and build schools for kids to learn in.?I want to help the homeless,” she said. “I didn?t want to just say I would build houses, I thought about who and wanted to say who.”Mayor Michael Bonfanti congratulated the winners.?The competition was keen,” he said. “I give a great pat on the back to the kids, parents and teachers.”Superintendent Milton Burnett said the contest was designed as a fun way to get third graders involved in the George Peabody history and legacy. The winning essays will be handed out in each third grade classroom for students to use as a model.Since its beginning nearly 20 years ago, the North Shore Bank has sponsored the event by offering gift certificates in the form of savings accounts to the winners.Contest judge Mary Lou DaSilva of the North Shore Bank, said she hopes the students will use the money to save for their education.?It?s so important to remember and understand our history,” said the bank?s President Dave LaFlamme. “You can?t move forward without knowing about the past?We?re very pleased to participate in this program.”