CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) Clarksville Kiwanis had over 15,000 students participated in Interview a Veteran Essay Contest.
This year’s school winners will read part of their essays at the annual essay awards luncheon on Tuesday, November 14 at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall with about 100 veterans, parents, teachers, principals and Kiwanians attending. The topic of the 2017 contest is “How the veteran’s service has improved my opportunities in my community”.
This year’s middle school winner is Brady Sims, sixth grade at Richview Middle School. His parents are Tim and Teri Sims, seventh grader at Northeast Middle School. He wrote about his grandfather, Army Chaplain LTC (Ret) Donald Crippen, of Clarksville. Brady stated “My ‘Papa’ is such a great role model for me. He makes me want to be a better person and to serve my community the way he served his military community.”
The High School Grand Winner is Jr. ROTC Cadet Cyrus Kamali who wrote about Army Captain (Ret) Mike Erwin who started Team Red, White and Blue support group for wounded soldiers while still in the Army. There are now chapters near many bases including in Clarksville. Cyrus is a ninth grader at West Creek High and the son of Diva Wilkins. Cyrus said “I am grateful for veterans and hope to continue helping out in the community like the veterans do in our town.”
Each school winner received a plaque and a cash award and the grand winners received an extra award donated by Corlew Chevrolet Cadillac along with a flag flown over the US Capitol at the request of Representative Marsha Blackburn.
Kiwanian Ron Smithfield said “It is great to see how local veterans are such a positive influence on these young citizens inspiring them to serve our community in many ways. We are truly fortunate to live in a special city where active-duty military and veterans make positive contributions every day.”