MMA honors 2007 student essay winners
The manager of the Boston Red Sox and hundreds of local officials honored Mark Steinbach of Burlington, the winner of the MMA’s premiere Sixth Grade Student Essay Contest, during the MMA Annual Meeting on Jan. 12 in Boston.
Steinbach, who attends the Marshall Simonds Middle School, was chosen from among 2,200 participating sixth graders as the first-prize winner.
Burlington Selectman Kevin McKelvey read Steinbach’s essay aloud during the Friday evening banquet.
Northampton Mayor Clare Higgins, the outgoing MMA president, presented Steinbach with a certificate of achievement and a $300 savings bond. Steinbach also won four dinner tickets for him and his family from the MMA and a complimentary one-night hotel stay from the Sheraton.
The dinner speaker, Sox Manager Terry Francona, congratulated Steinbach and presented him with an autographed baseball.
The second- and third-place winners were given savings bonds of $150 and $100, respectively.
All of this year’s student essays began with the line: “If I were elected leader of my community I would make a difference by …”
Judging criteria were creativity, clarity/sincerity of thought, proper use of grammar, and an understanding of local government.
Judges were Georgetown Town Administrator Stephen Delaney; Winchester Town Manager Mel Kleckner; Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Superintendent Charlie Lyons; and Dina Segal, Boston’s deputy director of inter-governmental relations.
Every student who submitted an essay by the Nov. 10 deadline will receive a small gift.
Winning student essays
First Place
Mark Steinbach, Marshall Simonds Middle School, Burlington
If I were elected leader of my community, I would make a difference by encouraging the residents of Burlington to think more environmentally. There are many areas of Burlington that could be improved upon by taking a few simple measures that would improve and preserve the beauty of our town.
The residents of Burlington would need to work with the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen to limit the development of businesses in town. New businesses would have to meet strict regulations for building in Burlington. Guidelines should also be put in effect for residential areas of town. Small houses are being knocked down to make bigger homes. With these simple adjustments the town could be more spacious and attractive.
Another way to make the town more attractive is by making a town center. Some Burlington residents and town officials have gotten together on an endeavor to create a town center. Shops and cafes would line sidewalks where residents could sit on benches enjoying an ice cream or browsing through store windows. The town would have a lively feel that would attract people from surrounding areas.
To make Burlington more pleasant I believe that making parks and recreation areas more attractive would have a great effect on the families of Burlington. Holding special clean-up events and activities throughout the year in our parks would bring together the community. There are also some uncultivated areas in Burlington such as the landlocked parcel that should be used for beautification and recreation. As leader I would work with a committee of residents to research the options available.
Together the residents of Burlington can work to make these changes as well as simple changes to improve their personal property. This would improve and preserve the beauty of our town.
Second Place
Christine Sgroi, Pierce Middle School, Milton
“Youth Violence in My Community”
If I were elected leader of my community I would make a difference by reducing youth violence in my town. Too many young people have been getting into trouble these days and someone needs to do something about it, like me. This happens because when groups of kids are just hanging around, not doing anything in particular, trouble can sometimes start. It may be there is a disagreement between two or three people, which then leads to a fight, or some not-so-nice kids decide it would be fun to spraypaint their names on a wall or vandalize someone’s property. It seems bad things are more likely to happen when kids are lingering aimlessly. My goal is to offer an alternative for young people so they can avoid possible trouble and make the right choice for themselves.
One idea I have in mind is to find a location where young people can go after school and on the weekends to have fun with their friends and keep them from mischief. This place would have entertainment such as an arcade or bowling alley, as well as a jukebox with their favorite music. There could also be a food court type thing and maybe a quiet place to do homework as well. These are the kind of places we need to keep young people safe in our community.
Another way I think trouble can be deterred is if police officers are more visible. Having them patrol the most common areas where kids are known to congregate would help because it would keep everybody moving and not give them the opportunity for them to get into mischief. Even though these changes will probably not eliminate all the youth trouble in my community, I think it would be a good way to start.
Third Place
Driscoll McKenney-Lydick, Clark Street School, Worcester
If I were elected leader of my community I would make a difference by cleaning up the city, raising funds for schools, and building shelters for homeless people.
First, I would help clean up the city by putting more trash barrels on the side of the roads throughout the city. Second, I would hire more people to clean up the city. I would increase the fine for littering by $100. Each convicted person would be required to pick up trash for a total of 24 hours. A clean city is more attractive and gives everyone a sense of pride.
School budgets are very low. Schools need more money. They need the money for every day, educational supplies such as books and paper, copy machines, computers and printers. I would raise money by setting up student art displays in each school where people could buy miscellaneous artwork that students are willing to sell to profit the school. Students deserve well-funded schools. They are the future of the city.
Helping homeless people is one of my main concerns. I would build more shelters. I’d help raise money for homeless shelters by convincing people that the homeless deserve to have a better life. If you tried living a life without a home you would feel lousy. NO ONE should have to live a life like that. Homeless people are people too.
If I were elected leader of my community I would help all of these causes and even more. Some day I wish to be on the city council.
Written by MMA Database & Admin. Coordinator Kristi Williams