EMS eighth-grader's freedom essay wins Sertoma Club contest

Hannah Gurrieri, an eighth-grader at Evergreen Middle School, understands a little bit about freedom.

Hannah, 14, wrote an essay about what freedom means to her and how having freedom means protecting the freedoms of others. Her essay was selected as the school’s Freedom Week essay winner by the Platte Canyon Sertoma Club.

She wrote specifically about the freedom to voice her opinion and the freedom to believe in any religion or no religion at all.

“I was surprised,” Hannah said about winning. “I didn’t think I would win.”

Hannah heard about the essay contest in social studies teacher David Stich’s class.

Hannah’s name will be engraved on a plaque at the school, and she will be given a plaque and a $100 award. She said she plans to save the money to buy a plane ticket to a fun destination.

Joe and Kristina Gurrieri are pleased with their daughter’s award.

“It was really cool,” Joe said, adding that she wrote the essay entirely by herself. 

The Sertoma Club has two functions: It sponsors the National Heritage Freedom Week Essay Contest, and it works to promote hearing health. Sertoma is an acronym for Service to Mankind.

Bergens participate in Pennies for Patients

The Bergens again are participating in Pennies for Patients, a fund-raiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

This is the school’s 13th year of involvement in the program, and it has raised more than $20,400. The money is used to help find cures for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The fund-raiser runs through March 1. 

Bring donations to the front office of either Bergen Meadow or Bergen Valley elementary school. If you want to donate in honor of someone, bring in that person’s picture, and it will be put on the school’s honoree wall.

For more information, call Maureen Noble at 303-982-4890. 

Sponsors wanted for Evergreen Fall Carnival

The Bergens are looking for sponsors for the 2013 community-wide Evergreen Fall Carnival, which will be Sept. 29.

The carnival is a fund-raiser for the schools’ PTA. Last year, more than 1,200 people attended, and it raised $9,000.

Tax-deductible sponsorships ranging from $500 to $5,000 are available. For more information or to become a sponsor, contact Kappy Kling at 214-404-8119 or e-mail kappy_kling@yahoo.com. 

Have tips about schools in Evergreen? Contact Evergreen resident Deb Hurley Brobst at deb@evergreenco.com.