Preslie Payne, a fifth-grade student at Whitley County East Elementary School, was recognized for her grandparent essay at the Whitley Area Retired Teachers Association (WARTA) meeting on March 26.
Payne wrote about her grandfather Terry Sutherland. Her entry was one of thousands submitted by Kentucky fifth graders for the annual essay competition.
“We are so pleased with our board winner this year,” said WARTA President Meg Judd. “It was really, really close but yours came out shining on top.”
Students were asked to answer the prompt: “Why My Grandparent Should Be the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Kentucky Grandparent of the Year.”
Teachers selected the strongest essay from their class and submitted it to the local Retired Teachers Association, where a committee chose the county winner from entries throughout Whitley County’s six elementary schools, Williamsburg Independent and Corbin Elementary School.
Payne’s essay advanced to the district competition, which drew entries from Clay, Laurel, Knox, Middlesboro Independent, Barbourville Independent, Pineville Independent, Harlan Independent and Harlan County. Her essay won the division, earning her a spot in the state finals among 13 other essays.
The state winner will be recognized at the Annual Kentucky Retired Teachers Association (KRTA) Convention in Louisville this April and will receive a $100 prize.
