How
many kids get paid big bucks for doing an English class
assignment? Sixth grader Devon Sample did this year.
Twelve-year-old Devon Sample of South St. Louis got an
English assignment to write an essay on the subject, "Your
Favorite Day of the Week?"
Teacher Julie O'Brien took all of the completed essays
from her 5th and 6th grade students and entered them into
a national contest. The competition was sponsored by the
BIC Co., the makers of ink pens and shaving instruments.
Devon's entry was selected by the contest judges as the
1st prize winner in the company's Mountain Region. The prize
was $500 and it was in cash.
And, his winning didn't hurt his relations with his teacher.
As the teacher of the winning student, Ms. O'Brien got a
$100 American Express gift card.
Devon
Sample |
Principal Megan Bohac of St. Stephen Protomartyr Catholic
School said the contest judges said Devon's approach to
the essay was "unique." The uniqueness wasn't so much in
the writing as in the presentation.
Devon said he decided to write as if Saturday was a person
accepting an award before an audience. He said, "I was thinking
about an awards ceremony like they have when they give out
the Grammys."
He said, "Saturday is my own favorite day of the week.
That's when I'm off school, can play with my friends and
go out with the whole family."
Saturday is often a busy day at Devon's house. One of
the regular features is taking his grandmother out with
the family.
Asked what the family usually does on Saturdays, he said,
"Go to Bob Evans and to Wal-Mart." That's so his grandmother
can have a meal out with the family and can do her shopping,
he said.
Devon's parents are Steve and Christine Sample and he has
one brother, Bruce, 15, and one sister, Victoria, 10.
Devon said his teacher didn't make any comment when his
favorite day was one when he wasn't attending school.
Asked what class grade he got on the winning essay, he
said, "I got an A minus."
Devon's teacher, Ms. O'Brien, said she likes to make a
contest out of writing in her English class.
She said Devon's winning prize will make it easier to get
the students' attention for future assignments.
Devon said English and vocabulary are his favorite subjects
at St. Stephens. And that's not just because of his prize-winning
essay or the cash. (For the complete text of Devon's
winning essay, see sidebar below.)
Devon said his first version of the essay was longer, about
250 words. But, it was edited down to 100 words to fit the
contest requirements.
He said, "In the first version, the award ceremony involved
giving awards for both a favorite day of the year as well
as the favorite day of the week. In the editing process,
the ceremony ended up with only one prize-the favorite day
of the week.
The deadline for the contest was in January. Then, Devon
got notice of his winning toward the end of April.
He said this is his first year at St. Stephens. Last year,
he went to the larger Woerner Elementary School. That school
is part of the St. Louis Public Schools.
Devon said he considered the move from the public to the
Catholic school as the best event in his life so far.
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My Favorite Day Awards
By Devon Sample
 Welcome
to the favorite awards. We have a fun day ahead of
us, so let's see the nominees: Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
and the winner is….Saturday, two years running.
Saturday: "Well I just want to thank Friday and Sunday
for being such good sports, and thank you all the
people that voted for me. If only I could have gotten
that many votes when I ran for president.
"Well thanks again and remember tomorrow is Saturday.
Make sure you get out and enjoy my day. Maybe throw
the ball around with your buddies, play Frisbee in
the park or enjoy a picnic lunch.
"And remember you can stay up late because no work
or school the next day. I would like to thank my parents
who helped me become the Favorite Day of the Week.
I could not have done it without your support and
guidance."
Alright, that concludes our Favorite Day Awards,
and we will see you again next year.
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