Heroes close to home are top pick of local fifth-graders
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. For Laurel Mullet's fifth-grade reading students at Miller Avenue Elementary in Sugarcreek, most of them chose not a celebrity, but a hero close to home as their top pick."We started this last year, as we wanted to do a writing activity about our heroes, and we made a class book," explained Mullet following a special heroes assembly held at the school on May 20. "Each student had to choose their hero, and we put that into a bound, hard copy book. Every year I have the students write books, and the American Red Cross contest for writing about a hero made us decide to focus on heroes. We wrote these back in January, and the students had to illustrate their books. The art teacher, Paul Mowery, assisted, and it was really neat. We finished it off in reading class, and then we planned the assembly. There were 26 students out of the 28 here today. They each had to write a letter inviting their hero, and then we practiced it one time. The kids were very excited about it." Mullet was joined in the project by intervention teacher Laci Hizer, and Linda Hochstetler, reading specialist.
Student Ty Hamsher emceed the heroes event, and students came forward to read their essay with their hero standing alongside of them. Hamsher shared that his hero was his mother, Jocelyn.
"My mom is awesome. She is loving, and a good role model. She makes my life even better than it already is. My mom is a good role model because she is nice to people and treats them with respect. My mom is a leader. She is well accepted by her friends. She also takes charge and makes things happen. For example, she wrote 13 devotionals all by herself. The most important thing about my mom is that she loves me. My mom is a wonderful person," said Hamsher.
Ben Mason had a special reason for choosing his dad, Dwight. "My dad will always pray with us when we're sick," he explained.
"My dad is very funny when he does his Eeyore impression, and I always laugh. He is one of the funniest people I know. My dad is very caring. My dad is my favorite person. He is very important to me," said Mariah Menke. "I've always been a daddy's girl, and I always will be. I love my dad."
Dustin Miller chose his dad, Matt. "My dad is loving when he makes us dinner. He makes funny faces when we are all on the couch watching TV. I am happy when my dad tells us jokes and makes us laugh. My dad is my hero."
Manning Morris named his 20-year-old cousin, Eric Dummermuth, as his hero. Dummermuth is well over six feet tall, and is a standout basketball player at Notre Dame of Ohio in Cleveland, where he is studying sports management and will be a junior next year. Morris follows his cousin's career closely, including a recent appearance on ESPN, where Dummermuth's dunk shot was spotlighted on national television.
"Eric is patient. He waits to be put in the game, and waits for the ball," explained Morris. "I chose Eric because he inspires me to get better at basketball."
Dummermuth was thrilled to get the call from his young cousin that he had been chosen as Morris' hero.
"It was great when I got the phone call. I was really excited to hear that he looked up to me," stated the athlete. When asked who his own heroes were, Dummermuth was quick to respond. "My heroes are my mom and dad, Jerry and Debbie Dummermuth of Dover, because they have always been there for me, and are role models for me."
Dummermuth also had some advice for his young admirers, who not only lined up for autographs after the assembly, but also joined him on the playground for a demonstration of some special basketball moves and playing time. "Work hard, and whatever you want to do, you can do it. Put your mind to it, and you can do everything."