K-8 students participate in McDonald’s Writing Contest

Good friends may be hard to come by, but during the annual Pottstown School District McDonald’s Writing Contest, they were easy to identify. The writing contest, which is sponsored by Bruce and Marcia Graham, the owner/operators of our local McDonald’s restaurants, asked students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade to describe a “good friend.” Students had a variety of characteristics they felt were necessary for a person to have in ordered to be considered a good friend.

Rupert Elementary Principal Matt Moyer, who serves as the coordinator for the annual event, said, “Our partnership with the McDonald’s restaurants has helped our students develop a greater understanding of writing techniques and has given them reason to do thoughtful thinking. This year’s topic allowed students the opportunity to express the qualities that they feel are necessary in developing lifelong friendships.”

McDonald’s owners Marcia Graham and her husband Bruce said, “We are always energized by reading the student essays and are glad to play a small role in helping to develop the skills that they will need to become successful adults. Developing lifelong friendships is a valuable asset in all of our lives.”

The following are some of the qualities students felt were necessary in a friend:

Isabella Paschall, Barth Elementary, first grade, said a good friend is someone who helps you when you have a broken heart. A good friend is someone who thinks about you.

Cheynia Boyer, Franklin Elementary, third grade, said one of the qualities that was needed in a good friend is to be respectful. Respectful friends use nice words to each other. They keep their hands and feet to themselves. They also respond to each other when they ask a question. A good friend uses nice manners as well.

Luciano Romano, Lincoln Elementary, third grade, said a good friend also sticks by your side like glue. They do not exclude you at recess. They will be there if you get injured and they will always be by your side. A good friend is a friend no matter what.

Miranda Pineda, Rupert Elementary, third grade, said good friends are good listeners. People who listen to you when you are talking are good friends. If you are a good listener, people will want to be friends.

Oralee Wilson, Pottstown Middle School, fifth grade, said a good friend will follow the six pillars of good character, which are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and of course citizenship.

Naomi Parson, Pottstown Middle School, seventh grade, wrote about the importance of loyalty. Loyalty is a quality of true friendship and it is shown in every book, movie, play and story. Being loyal is not doing everything a friend asks but to be there for someone and do everything you can to not let them down.

Individual grade and building award winners are as follows:

Barth Elementary: Kamryn King, kindergarten; Isabella Paschall, first grade; Isiah Perez, second grade; Olivia Chin, third grade; and Layla Lettiere, fourth grade.

Franklin Elementary: Isabella Moore, kindergarten; Maisie Waite, first grade; Annasophia Chhern, second grade; Cheynia Boyer, third grade; and Mikyla Brandon, fourth grade.

Lincoln Elementary: Autumn Fair, kindergarten; Sione Worrell-Tilghman, first grade; Spencer Steed, second grade; Luciano Romano, third grade; and Devon Smith, fourth grade.

Rupert Elementary: Makaila Plummer, kindergarten; Mary Jane Adams, first grade; Christian Hoffman, second grade; Miranda Pineda, third grade; and Julissa Gandaria, fourth grade.

Pottstown Middle School: Oralee Wilson, fifth grade; Jayniana Williams, sixth grade; Naomi Parson, seventh grade; and Emily Weber, eighth grade.