Simple Solutions: Fifth-Graders Honored for Essays on Improving Community

Photo by David James Heiss

Ann Leonard (at right) reads excerpts from fifth-grade essays by Liam Lai of Highland Grove School, and Owen Cathey and Evangeline Hernandez of Mentone School.

By David James Heiss

Redlands News Collective

REDLANDS, Calif. — Listening to fifth-graders around the Redlands Unified School District share actions they can take to improve their world revealed a clear, overwhelming consensus: pick up trash.

At the fourth annual Fifth Grade Patriotic Essay Contest, 25 winners were recognized during a special ceremony at the Burrage Mansion. The contest, administered by 17 retired teachers and sponsored by local philanthropists David Maupin, Mick Gallagher and Tim Rochford, saw 550 essays evaluated from nine elementary schools.

The May 12 event included gift bags for each student containing miniature American flags. Students were called up by school alongside their teachers to have excerpts of their work read aloud.

“Judges were impressed with how well students expressed their ideas in their final essays,” volunteer Ann Leonard told guests. “The essays were well-written, showed connection and a feeling of love for America, and how they can make it a better place.”

While students focused on concepts such as showing respect, helping those in need, and supporting patriotic ideals by buying local — a point emphasized by Owen S. Jackson of Kimberly Elementary — the theme of community cleanliness was interwoven across all campuses.

“Trash is a big community problem,” wrote Owen Cathey of Mentone Elementary. “All of the garbage on the sidewalks, streets — trash just makes everywhere you go an unclean place … Cleaning up our communities is the easiest” and “cheapest, so let’s do it.”

Evangeline Hernandez, also of Mentone, noted, “All in all, America is not a perfect paradise, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fixable. Clean up a bit, cut down on the plastic, or maybe even donate a little. To make America a better place, everyone needs to help — even you.”

“Picking up trash will make America better by not hurting the environment,” noted Elena Tekin of Smiley Elementary. “If people see me picking up trash, they will create a habit of throwing it away.”

Levi Griffin of Kimberly Elementary wrote, “If you pick up trash with your friends, other people might see this and start picking up even more trash. If somebody else were to see them, they might even start, too.”

“Nobody wants our school to have trash,” according to Han Tran of Judson & Brown Elementary. “If schools have so much trash that can cause the school to be smelly and dirty, nobody wants that to happen. In my opinion, if you see any trash and cans, you should pick it up, because if you don’t, trash will get smelly and dirty. Even though it looks disgusting, ask the staff for gloves.”

At Franklin Elementary, Jayla Zabala wrote, “Although not all people care for the community, it does not mean you can’t care for it. Some things you can do are being a good citizen toward the Earth and everyone on the Earth. Even though someone littered, you can pick it up so the floor is clean and no one will trip on anything.”

Lillian O. De Leon of Cram Elementary focused on the city’s recreation areas. “They are awesome, but they could be a lot better if I helped clean them up a bit. Usually they have at least a few pieces of trash someone selfishly littered. I could help pick up this trash, and stop littering myself. This would make an outstanding improvement.”

Isabella Lopez of Judson & Brown wrote, “I understand accidents happen. Maybe you drop your plastic water bottle. That’s OK; if you notice you do, then pick it up and put it in a recyclable bin. If you notice somebody else drops something, tell them — or better, pick it up for them. It doesn’t take much time to pick up trash you see left around, so help out.”

Isabella Gomez Sanchez of Cram advocated for a different environmental approach, suggesting bikes and scooters over cars to reduce air pollution.

Three students had their names randomly drawn to receive flags flown over the Daughters of the American Revolution headquarters in Washington, D.C.: Amia Abbas and Mariana C. Waas of Franklin Elementary, and Lillian O. De Leon.

Other students focused on interpersonal themes: Jaxon Murphy (Judson & Brown), Hailey Thornburg (Smiley), Kaycee Johnson and Alezae Tapia (Victoria), Arie Farias (Franklin), and Hayden Stringer and Kellen Racadio (Arroyo Verde) all wrote about the importance of being kinder to others.

Luisa Ponce Suarez of Smiley suggested inspiring students through college visits, while Liam Lai of Highland Grove Elementary advocated for fundraisers to support field trips and school supplies.

Penuel Obazee of Victoria Elementary suggested long-term planning: “I can help my community by getting a good job when I grow up, that will help my town. For example, I can become a scientist or a doctor (which is what my mom wants me to be), which can be helpful for most people. If I become one of these, a lot of people in my community will be happy.”

Advocating for peace and standing up against harassment were key issues for Adam Collins of Arroyo Verde and Waas. Maria Sattarova of Cram, inspired by church volunteer programs, suggested more food drives and charitable giving.

Ilene Rivera of Judson & Brown offered a final simple idea.

“One way I can make America better, is being a better person,” she wrote. “Make sure everyone knows they’re loved, and give families that need help the care they need. I hope my words will make our country great, and also touch people’s hearts.”