The four winners in the Sixth Annual Garfield Langhorn Essay Contest were announced today at a ceremony this morning the Pulaski Street School. The winners read their essays aloud at an assembly in the auditorium.
Essay contest organizer Maryanne Harroun said all sixth grade students were invited to participate in the essay contest, the theme of was, “Inspired by Garfield Longhorn’s actions, ask yourself ‘What can a person your age do to help?’” Three were 174 entries in this year’s contest.
PFC Garfield Langhorn was a Riverhead High School graduate who was killed in action in Vietnam when he threw himself on a live grenade to save his fellow soldiers during an ambush. He was poshumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery. Last month, the Riverhead Post Office was named in his honor.
Pulaski Street School has honored Langhorn’s memory and paid tribute to his heroism for the past six years with its annual essay contest.
The winners were:
Amanda Brown – Ms. Devlin’s class – “I know that I must do great things in school so I can do great things in life to help my generation change the world… Life is about love, laughter and giving. . . I know that I will help make this world a better place one step at a time . . . ” Click here to download her essay.
Joseph Gorgone – Ms. Devlin’s class – “PFC Garfield Langhorn is a hero because he sacrificed his own life for other people’s well being. He has inspired me to be a better person not to be so selfish and to remember what’s really important and that is people. In a world of TVs, cell phones, schedules, computers, and email, we sometimes forget what is most important to us. . . ” Click here to download his essay.
Kamaria Harris – Mrs. Baumann’s class – “Although this may be a story of sadness, his memory will live on forever. His act of bravery and courage can teach us all a lesson about life. He was there to protect and serve his country; and that is what he did. . . This is a story that should inspire us all to always do our best in everything you do. Always be the best person you can be. Do all you can to help others and to be a good citizen . . .” Click here to download her essay.
Honorable Mention: Anthony Marin – Mrs. Harroun’s class – “As an 11 year old boy I can learn from this caring, brave man how to put others feelings before mine . . . For example, my friend was upset that he couldn’t afford a new bike. I went outside and I gave him my favorite Mongoose bike. My friend rode home screaming, “thank you”. Click here to download his essay.
The three winners were presented with savings bonds by Garfield’s mother, Mary Langhorn. Following the assembly, she hosted a luncheon at the Birchwood for the students, their parents and Pulaski Street School principal David Densieski.
The winners of the Sixth Annual PFC Garfield Langhorn Essay Contest with Mary Garfield, from left, Kamaria Harris, Amanda Brown, Joseph Gorgone and Anthony Marin (Honorable Mention). RiverheadLOCAL photo by Peter Blasl.
Information from a press release issued by Riverhead Central School Distict.
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