Pekin student donates essay winnings to local veterans

PACKWOOD — A fifth-grader at Pekin Elementary School won $100 in an essay contest, but instead of spending the money on herself, she decided to give it to people who needed it more.

Hailey Ludden, like most fifth-graders at Pekin, was asked to write a 300-word essay on “What the Flag Means to Me.” Ludden’s essay was selected as the best essay in fifth grade, and for that she received $100 from the American Legion in a ceremony at the school on Friday, Jan. 27.

Hailey said her essay stressed the importance of honoring veterans and the sacrifice they make.

“I am very thankful for the wars they’ve fought in to make us safe,” she said. “There are also battles they fight at home when they come back.”

Hailey said it makes her sad to see homeless veterans.

“It’s sad how they fought for us to keep us safe, but they’re out on the streets,” she said. “That’s not very nice.”

After receiving the money from the American Legion on Friday, Hailey said she talked with her mom, Ashley Marcum, about what to do with the money.

“My mom gave me this suggestion [to donate], and I was like, ‘Yeah, that would be really nice,’” Hailey said.

Hailey told her teachers that she wanted to donate the money back to the American Legion to go toward local veterans in need. The Legion thanked Hailey for her generosity, and told her about a local veteran named Keith Blair whose house in Hedrick burned down a few months ago.

“When they told me about the fire, it was really sad how he lost all his stuff, and that made me want to donate it to him,” Hailey said. “My mom and I talked about how we can buy him some new clothes, or some nice meals.”

Hailey’s teacher, Sarah Wright, said Hailey’s donation really touched her heart.

“You always hear about kids’ poor choices in the news, and what’s going to happen to the next generation,” she said. “This is such a kind thing to do. We talk a lot about kindness, and you don’t know what impact it will have on somebody’s life. You may never see it. I’m proud of Hailey, because $100 is a lot of money to a fifth-grade girl. You could do a lot of fun things with that.”

When Hailey is not at school, she spends her free time drawing and doing crafts.

“I really love reading, too,” she said.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com