Pulaski Street Elementary School principal David Densieski told the Riverhead Board of Education last night that the quality of writing in this year’s entries to the Garfield M. Langhorn Essay Contest was too high — the committee, tasked with choosing the top three student essayists who wrote about the fallen soldier, couldn’t decide on only three clear winners.
“On several occasions over the years, the judges have decided to select an honorable mention… and this was just such a year,” Densieski said.
The four winners, Elizabeth Hanham, Phillip Tucci, Ryan Zaleski and Ayuania Humphrey (who represented Room 104) read their essays aloud to the school board last night. Room 104, Mrs. Mackey’s students, composed their essay as a class.
The essay contest, now in its 12th year, honors the bravery of Riverhead native Garfield Langhorn, who sacrificed his life in Vietnam during a rescue mission in January 1969, when he threw himself on a live grenade to protect the lives of two injured soldiers.
“The students of Pulaski street school continue to breathe life into the memory of PFC Garfield Langhorn through their words,” Densieski said.
“Garfield was just a regular guy who turned into a hero,” Ayuania said. “His actions inspire us because it makes us feel like we can do great things with our lives to help other people.”
Ryan said that Langhorn’s story taught him to be brave and try to help others. “I and others can emulate his traits that make him a great hero by doing small acts of kindness. For instance, I’ve mowed neighbors lawns and helped rake leaves.”
He also recounted his own moment of heroism. “I also helped save someone in trouble who was drowning in a pool. I dived in and pushed him up towards the surface.”
“I would like everyone to stop and think what they can do to help others in the community,” he concluded.
Phillip said he contributes to the community through Boy Scout Troop 94. “Soon I will also be donating blood to patients with extreme blood loss and cancer. I will help my community and country every way possible and always put others first, no matter what the cost is.”
“After reading the story about PFC Garfield Langhorn, I was amazed he had the courage to sacrifice his life for other people,” Elizabeth said. “He has inspired me to help the world become a better place.”
“I’m only 11-years-old… but some of the things I can do at my age is help any of my classmates in need, whether its with schoolwork or carrying their books, or even being a shoulder for them to cry on,” she said. “There are many things as a young kid that we can do. If we all sacrifice way less than he did, but more often, we could live in a better community and a better world.”
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