Five students from Caddo and Bossier Parish schools earned First-Place awards in the 2011 We Care essay contest, in which students shared why and how they care for others. These students inspired us, their teachers and their classmates with their commitment to caring! Each winner received a plaque and a $100 U.S. Savings Bond, donated by Ouachita Independent Bank. Essays were judged by the Shreveport chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction. The winning essays:

By Gabby Nunn
Fourth Grade
W.T. Lewis Elementary, Bossier City

Caring for others is something my Mom and Dad have always taught me to do.  I really enjoy helping others because it makes me feel really good. I also like to help because it makes other people happy. Usually when people are happy they smile and I love seeing smiles on people’s faces.

Some examples of caring for others are: if somebody needs help opening the door, help them; if someone drops something, pick it up for them. I have tons of friends and I love to care for them all the time.

By Abigail Phelan
Third Grade
Keithville Elementary/Middle School, Keithville

I care for others because I think others should be cared for. And by caring for others it would bring together world peace. I care for others by giving them a good meal and a place to stay. I give them some nice clothes, a nice warm blanket and a warm cup of cocoa. I give them nice American hospitality. I will support them in whatever they do. I will always be there for them. I will help by giving them shelter. I will always help everyone in need and be there for them and love them forever.

By Drew Haynes
Sixth Grade
Benton Middle School, Benton

I care for others by doing good deeds. I donate food and money to charities and homelessshelters. I donate my time to serve at the “Pool of Siloam,” where we serve the homeless people food and something to drink. My church, Benton United Methodist, goes there once a month. I also donate money to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that helps critically ill children. I run the 5K Race for the Cure that raises money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

I also care by helping people in other ways. I went to Horizon Bay last year and sang Christmas carols with my 4-H group. I also help my Grandpa in Vivian, La., with his garden. I help him pull weeds and plant vegetables.

In addition, I help people because it makes me feel good. It also makes the people you help feel good and lets them know that someone cares about them. That is how and why I care for people.

By Emily Weddleton
Sixth Grade
Herndon Middle Magnet School, Shreveport

I am an average middle school student, but I have chosen to give of my time to do good for others. It’s really easy to do that, especially if you are in 4-H. 4-h is a community service club that teaches about caring for things other than ourselves. I would like to share with you how I have learned to care through 4-H.

I chose to be in 4-H when I was in 4^th grade mainly to care and help out others. I did not know at the time how important this would become to me. I participate in many different activities throughout the year that helps not only people, but animals, too. For the past two years in October, my 4-H club has collected supplies for Chimp Haven. Right now I am helping collect toilet paper and paper towel rolls.

How does this help, you may ask? Well, we take the rolls and put treats in them for the chimps at Chimp Haven and then wrap the rolls. The chimps unwrap the rolls to find their treats. I go with my Mom to deliver the items I helped collect and watch the chimps enjoy all of their treats.

Another thing we do each year in 4-H  is called Santa Can Collection. My Mom and I go shopping for things we can buy to fill the cans. Things like shampoo, fingernail polish, word search books, anything that my grandmother would enjoy. I decorate the can with Christmas wrapping paper and one day after school, my entire 4-H group goes to our local nursing home to pass out the cans of goodies. We then spend the afternoon with guests singing Christmas carols and talking. This always makes me smile, because I know that some of the residents may not get many visitors. I love to see the smiles on their faces during this time. This is another way I am learning to show I care for others.

These are just a few of the ways that I can show I care. 4-H is a big part of that. Besides showing that I care, it is a lot of fun. Community service and projects like these are just a few ways I show others I care.

By Aaliyah Bilal
Ninth Grade
Captain Shreve High School, Shreveport

I care for others because it’s not just all about me. I’m not the only person in the world. Ishouldn’t be selfish; I should be selfless and care for other people. If I don’t care, no one will like me and the whole world would be against me. I care because I want other people to care for me, too. I care because I want other people to feel loved or cared for. I treat other people like I want to be treated.

I care for others because it’s the right thing to do. If you are young and want someone to care for you when you get older, you have to care for someone else. I can’t be selfish; I have to be selfless by helping other people in need. When I do something, I care; if I don’t care, I wouldn’t do things for other people, but I love doing things for other people, so I care.

If I don’t care I am a very selfish person. No one will like me; they may love me, but certainly not like me. Since no one will like me, no one will want to be around me. I will be lonely and one day be depressed or sad. I ask myself, “Do you want to be a sad person or a happy person?” I certainly choose happy person.

Now this is how I care for others. I care for others by caring about their feelings and how they want to be treated. I treat people with great respect and kindness. I care for anyone in need of love, respect, and to fill that loneliness in their lives. I will always care for other people during good times or bad times.

You see? Caring for other people is great because you get cared for back. Caring for someone is being nice to someone. If you don’t care, you are not nice; you are mean and disrespectful. Caring for someone will bring you a long way in life. Now, I ask you, do you care or do you not care? I know I do!