For the second year in a row, an Eshleman Elementary student has won a major award in a history writing contest sponsored by the Hershey Story Museum.
Fifth-grader Liam Evans earned a first-place award in the non-fiction category of the contest for his essay about a family member’s heroism during World War II.
Liam wrote about his grandfather’s cousin, Alfred Evans, a fighter pilot who died in a crash landing in the backyard of a French family’s property. Decades later, members of the family tracked down Alfred’s descendents and held a ceremony in France to honor him.
His story is titled Hero of Hericourt-sur-Therain, France.
Liam entered the contest after his teacher, Mindy Swope, told the class about it.
“Liam has always been an active listener in writing class, willingly practicing and incorporating new writing techniques as they were taught and modeled,” Swope said. “He soaks up everything and then finds such creative ways to utilize those techniques in his stories.”
“He had a great historical family connection, giving him the perfect topic to use for the contest.”
Liam’s entry was among the hundreds submitted by students in grades 5 through 8 from Lancaster, Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, Perry and York Counties. Students could submit an essay, fictional account or a poem on a historical event, person or era.
Last year, Eshleman fifth-grader Teagan Collins earned a second-place award in the fiction category of the contest for her story about the Titanic.
Liam’s first-place award earned him a $100 prize, a one-year membership to the Hershey Story Museum, two tickets to Hersheypark, a Hershey’s chocolate gift basket, and 30 Hershey chocolate bars to share with his class.
His essay will be featured on the museum’s website throughout the year.
Congratulations to Liam and Mrs. Swope on this honor!
