Pictured from left, Jenny Bullard, GPS Middle School English Teacher; Erin Creal, executive director, Chattanooga Room in the Inn; Mimi Vance, GPS student and essay winner; and Mary Beth Conklin, owner, Learning Express Toys.
Learning Express Toys announced Tuesday the winners of their Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest. The contest, which honored the life and teachings of Dr. King, was held for children ages 8-14 in the Chattanooga area.
The theme of the essay was “Making a Difference – What I Can Do to Make a Difference in My Community”. Winners were selected in two age groups, 8-11 and 12-14. The winners in each age group received a $50 gift card to Learning Express Toys.
After reviewing entries from children all over Chattanooga, the following winners were selected: Mimi Vance from Hixson for the 12-14 year-old category, and co-winners, Gracie Vogel from Ooltewah and Gavin Creed from Chattanooga for the 8-11 year-old category.
Mimi Vance, the winner in the 12-14 age group, attends Girls Preparatory School and volunteers for Room in the Inn, and organization that serves homeless women and children. Mimi elected to donate her gift card to Chattanooga Room in the Inn. In support of Mimi’s generosity, Learning Express matched the gift and Chattanooga Room in the Inn received a gift card for $100.
“I was overwhelmed by the heartfelt, insightful essays we received for the contest,” said Mary Beth Conklin, owner, Learning Express Toys. “The children that responded not only understood the impact that Dr. King had on our society, but they were very committed to wanting to make a difference in the community also. It was a tough decision to select only three children as winners. I want to thank all of the children who participated in this event.”