Kiwanis Club welcomes grandparent essay winners
BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County Retired Teachers Association sponsors the annual AARP Grandparent Essay Contest for fifth graders at the three elementary schools in the county. The association selects a countywide winner who goes on to compete in the region. The Kiwanis Club welcomed the MCRTA and essay contest winners Thursday during a luncheon at Shufflin’ Café in Inez.
Retired teachers Pam Ward and Dottie Horn introduced the students and their grandparents.
Eden Elementary fifth grade student Macie Hillman calls her grandmother Trish Mills “Gran” (sometimes “Granny”) and says she should be the “AARP Kentucky Grandparent of the Year.”
Macie’s grandparent essay won first place at her school and in Martin County. She finished second in the region.
“Not only is she my grandparent, she is a grandparent to all the kids at my school,” Macie said. “She is strong and she is the best cook.”
Macie’s grandmother goes above and beyond to do things for Macie and her sisters. She works in the school cafeteria at Eden as a food service manager.
“When my friends are sad at school, she walks up to them and checks on them,” said Macie. “She thinks of my friends as her own. She cares about every single child that comes through the lunch line. She greets them with a smile and sometimes a hug. Overall she is just the kindest person I know with a heart full of love.”
Macie described her grandmother as “the strongest woman” she knows.
“Seven years ago, her husband, my papaw, passed away,” said Macie. “It was hard for her at first, but she is strong, which is why I’m strong.”
Gran showed Macie “how to fight to live” when she was diagnosed with cancer.
“She is a survivor of breast cancer, and I’m so thankful that she is a survivor,” said Macie. “I know God was with her through her whole journey.
“She teaches us to push ourselves; she leads by example.”
Macie’s grandmother had a broken back, but she still works.
“I’m so proud of her for never giving up,” said Macie. “I love that about her character. She inspires me in so many different ways.”
Gran is also the best cook.
“She cooks the best meals for me,” said Macie. “She also makes delicious peanut butter cookies. Just don’t tell my mom that she is the best cook.”
Some of Macie’s best memories include her grandmother teaching her to bake.
“One memory that comes to mind is of us sitting at the counter rolling dough and putting sugar on the cookies.”
As grandmothers do, Macie’s Gran thinks of others before herself.
Mallory Hale
Inez Elementary fifth grader Mallory Hale won the essay contest at her school. She asked if anyone had ever met anyone nicer than her “Papaw” Carlos Evans. Describing him as “kind, caring, and sweet,” Mallory said her grandfather should be the “Grandparent of the Year.”
“There are many things that my papaw does for his family that make him so special to me,” Mallory said. “He loves his family so much, especially his grandchildren.”
Mallory said her grandfather is always there when his family needs him and would do anything they ask.
“He is the best papaw in the world,” she said.
Mallory’s grandfather loves all things Christmas and, in July, starts counting down the days. Starting in October, he is ready to decorate one of his 20 trees in the house. He loves going to Christmas plays, looking at all the lights and driving through the parade wearing his Santa hat.
This year will be different because Mallory’s grandfather recently had knee surgery.
“His grandchildren will put up the Christmas trees and decorate them,” said Mallory. “We want him to have the best Christmas ever, even if he is hurt. He is so kind to everyone.”
Mallory explained how the word “caring” applies to her grandfather.
“He always wants us to spend time together,” she said. “He loves when the whole family goes fishing. He plans out the entire day for all of us. He knows all of the places to fish and swim.”
Papaw ensures everyone has “the best lunch” while on the lake. He usually brings all kinds of snacks and buys pizza.
“I love when he buys all the snacks,” said Mallory. “He wants us to have the best day ever. He is so caring.”
Mallory said her grandfather is “sweet” and loves for the entire family to vacation together.
“He loves taking the family to Dollywood,” said Mallory. “His favorite place is Dollywood, and he wants to share it with us. We always say he loves Dollywood, and he smiles ear to ear. I think he just loves the family being together.”
Mallory said after her grandfather recovers from knee surgery, he will be able to run all over Dollywood.
“He is so special and means so much to our family,” said Mallory. “He is kind, caring and sweet, and I want him to win this award. I love him so much, and he will always be my ‘Grandparent of the Year.’”
Mason Phillips
Warfield Elementary fifth grader Mason Phillips wrote about his “Mamaw” Glenda Castle and won the essay contest at his school.
“When I think of grandmas, I think of freshly baked cookies, warm hugs, white hair and glasses type of person,” Mason began. “Although those qualities are great, I prefer my free-spirited, one-of-a-kind, love-you-till-it-hurts prayer warrior that I’m proud to call my mamaw.”
Mason’s grandmother grew up in the hills of eastern Kentucky during a time when playing inside was not even thought about.
“My mamaw’s free spirit started at such a young age,” said Mason. “She spent her summers surrounded by her brothers and sister and all their friends catching crawdads on the creekbanks, riding bikes and playing pranks on each other all day long.
“She often talks about the family atmosphere the neighborhood had while she was growing up. Today I get to live in a similar atmosphere where our holler is nothing but family.”
Mamaw lives 500 feet from Mason’s home. Her house is the gathering place for Mason and his cousins.
“You’ll never see a summer day when she isn’t outside teaching us to cut grass, letting us help with bonfires, and showing us how to catch the biggest crawdads in the creek,” said Mason.
Movie night with Mamaw is one of Mason’s “favorite things.” He picks the movie while she makes the popcorn.
“My mamaw takes pride in growing her own garden, starting in early spring, tilling up the dirt from the previous year and planting tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and other vegetables,” said Mason. “My favorite thing to grow is watermelon.”
Mason’s grandmother is “a very hard worker.” Her first job was as a cashier at Foodland in Louisa, where she met the love of her life, Mason’s grandfather.
“When he came through to pay for his groceries, he told her his number was on the check if she wanted it,” laughed Mason. “She was so excited she forgot which check it was and ended up calling every number from the checks she got that night until she finally reached the right one.”
Shortly after Mason’s grandparents started dating, his grandmother’s father was diagnosed with lung cancer.
“Not knowing what the future held for her dad, she and my papaw decided to get married so her dad could be there for her wedding,” he said.
Prayer has been paramount for Mamaw.
“She is not ashamed to tell of all the good things God has done for her.”
Her faith was put to the test in December 2011 when her mother had a major stroke.
“The hospital had lost all hope of her surviving and was pushing for her to be placed in hospice,” said Mason. “But Mamaw never gave up hope. She prayed all day, every day, and God heard her. She did not just have faith the size of a mustard seed; she had the faith of the whole mustard bottle.”
On Christmas Eve, Mason’s great-grandmother woke up. A month later, she was sitting at home recovering from the hospital stay. Since then, Mason’s grandmother has devoted most of her time to taking care of his great-grandmother, who is now 85.
“I have always known my mamaw as a strong person,” said Mason. “She has faced many trials. She has shown me through her example always to put God first and to never fight my trials without him.”
In 2015, Mason’s grandfather suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed and unable to care for himself.
“My mamaw never hesitated once and took care of him until his passing in 2016,” said Mason. “She showed me what true love is all about.”
When Mason’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer, he knew God could take care of her. He did what she did – he prayed – and his grandmother has been cancer-free for three years.
These days Mamaw loves traveling around the United States with her best friend. Their most recent trip was to the Grand Canyon.
“I enjoy looking at the pictures, hearing all the stories, and, of course, the gifts she brings us back,” said Mason.
Even though Mason’s grandmother has faced adversity, Mason said, “She still manages to keep a smile on her face, bring laughter into every room, and is hands down the best mamaw I could ever ask for.”
Mason said his grandmother deserves to be called “Grandparent of the Year” because she always sees the best in everyone and would go the extra mile for anyone.
“My grandma deserves the world, but for goodness’ sake, do not give that woman a karaoke machine,” chuckled Mason.