Essay-winning students share why and how they care for others

For Madeline Wafer, caring meant a missions trip to Washington, D.C., where she met a young girl who just needed a friend.

For Dylan Whaley, it meant taking out the trash and washing dishes without being asked.

They are two of the six students in Caddo and Bossier Parish schools who won first-place awards in the 2009 We Care Essay Contest. Students shared from the heart about why and how they care for others.

They each received an engraved plaque and a $100 U.S. Savings Bond, courtesy of Bancorp South Trust and Asset Management Department.

Essays were judged by the Shreveport chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction.

Excerpts from the winning essays:

By Alecia Bradley
Grade 4
Sunset Acres Elementary, Shreveport

Caring for people is very important to me because it brings us closer together. I care most about my family and friends because they help me when I am feeling bad. I show I care for these people in a lot of ways. I think caring for others means listening and respecting the feelings of others.

I show my family I care about them by helping them clean and doing what they tell me to do. Also by respecting them and telling them I love them every day. I show my friends I care for them by helping them when they have problems. When my friends aren't feeling well, I try to cheer them up by doing something to make them smile. This is the way I show I care about them. I really appreciate my family and friends. That's why showing them I care for them is important.

By Bryson Connell
Grade 2
Legacy Elementary, Bossier City

I care for others because I want them to treat me the same way I treat them. You should use good manners. You should respect your parents. When your parents tell you to do something, you should do it. You should not only respect your parents, but your teachers. You should work hard during school and at home.

You should be kind to everybody, especially to your teacher and your parents. You should help other people when they need help. Don't just walk by and pretend like you didn't see them. This is why and how I care for others.

By Louis Frazier
Grade 7
Youree Drive Middle School, Bossier City

Another aspect of everyday life I care about is my community. I care about all the people in my community, but the most important people I care about in my community are the homeless. I care for them because they do not have families. They also do not live with all of the everyday necessities as most people. I show I care for them by donating. I donate money, clothes and food. I also show I care for the homeless by praying for them.

The thing I care about the most is my family. The most important person in my family is my mom. The reason why I care for her is that she gave me life. She is a caring person towards me. I show her I care for her by giving respect, love and kindness. I care about my mom more than anyone else in the world.

I care about the homeless in my community, teachers in my school, and especially my mom. The care I have for others is amazing and never ending. Caring for others is an important part of life that everyone should display.

By Dylan Whaley
Grade 8
Greenacres Middle School, Bossier City

I show my Mom that I care for her by doing nice stuff for her without her asking, for an example, taking out the trash, doing the dishes, washing her car. I even try to open the doors for my Mom and my aunts. I show that I care by complimenting people on things that they do. If I have extra money I try to show that I care by buying that special person something that they like.

We all should care for one another and other people should care for you the same way as you care for them. If you don't care for people they won't care for you so you should care for that person the same way as you wanted to be treated. You should care for elderly people like open the door for them and help them cross the street. And you should care for your parents, like help them around the house, do your chores and keep your room.

People, they just want you to be good in life and not be like them when they were your age. I care for my aunts and all of my family members, even though they might get on my nerves sometimes. But I still care for them as I care for my Mom and Dad. You should help people out when they are in need or buy things when people do things for you. Be helpful and thankful for what people give you. Don't get an attitude. Just smile, hug them and walk off and wait till you get home and say something.

By Madeline Wafer
Senior
Byrd High School, Shreveport

I care for people because I have seen the pain and hurt in their eyes. I have been on many eye-opening mission trips that truly show less fortunate people in their environment.

My favorite mission trip was to Washington, D.C., with my church youth group. This mission trip brought me up close and personal with the poverty that is going on in America. We worked at several different places. My favorite was The Fishing School. The Fishing School is a program to help underprivileged kids stay off the streets.

Helping at The Fishing School I met a girl named Alisha, who attached herself to me right away. The owner told me how much the girl asked about me when I wasn't there. I felt humbled when I knew that the little time I shared with her meant so much to her. In some way I was able to give her attention that she was not getting at home.

I spent time with the other kids also but Alisha was the main one. The kids were very grateful that we wanted to spend time with them; even the littlest conversation towards them would bring a smile to their faces. On our last day all the kids gave us big hugs and thanked us for coming. Some of the kids didn't want to let go. I was happy to help at this school because I was able to learn so much and help so many kids.

By Fallon Jolly
Junior
Airline High School, Bossier City

Some people like to say, "No one is sunshine and rainbows all the time." I have found that statement to be exceptionally accurate. Everyone has an occasional bad day, and I have learned that everyone just wants to feel accepted. When I see someone in distress or upset, I am there for them, because I know how it feels when I am upset. I know that I just want to be held, and a shoulder to cry on. So I give that to other people, because it would be what I would want.

When someone around me looks forlorn, I take that as an invitation to help them out. An everyday goal for me is to put at least one smile on a person's face per day. Other people's demeanor towards someone else that is upset is typically apathetic. And when I see others' lack of concern, it hurts me personally. Caring for others who are hurt is something I love to do. And usually all someone needs is a shoulder to cry on.