2000 Essay/Poetry Contest

Ryker Grace, Grade 4
Teacher: Ms. Judi King
Robson Elementary
Mesa Unified District

First Place — Intermediate (Grades 3-5)

My Dad, My Hero

Ken F. Grace was my dad. He was my hero because he helped everyone in the church and community. He made friends wherever he went. He went around parks and freeways picking up trash. I loved going with him picking up trash. One time he was driving my brother and his friend home. My brother's friend dropped a paper bag out of the car. My dad stopped the car and made him walk back and pick it up.

He really liked a kid named Spencer who didn't have a good family life. He let Spencer come to our house all the time and we took him a lot of places we went. Spencer became like a 6th son to him and a 6th brother to us.

My dad worked as a crane inspector. He was a respected employee to his company. He is still respected everywhere in my family and to his friends. When he died from falling off a 100ft crane, everyone was shocked when they heard the news! Nothing is the same anymore.

He always helped others and cared about the environment. I'm trying to be as good as him but I'm not doing very good. I'm really trying hard to follow in his footsteps.