Congratulations to John E. Joy 4^th grader, Parker Emery on his winning essay for Black History Month (February). The contest, sponsored by Tops Friendly Market, was open to 3^rd – 5^th graders and asked students to honor those in their lives whom they admire the most and are of African American decent. Parker wrote about his mom, Brittany Emery (see below). He won a $100 Tops gift card for his class and a $50 Tops card for himself. Parker, who is 9 years old is a student in Ms. Bevilacqua’s classroom.

PARKER’S ESSAY:

My name is Parker Emery, and I am a 4th grade student at John E. Joy Elementary School in Rome, NY. I have chosen to write about an African American person that I admire and who means so much to me. She happens to be my mom! My mom is someone I look up to because she is strong and caring. She has been through many hard things, and she still does her best to put a smile on her face and to help others. 

She lost her mom to cancer when she was a senior in high school. My mom struggled a lot afterward, but she worked hard and went on to finish college and then got a job helping kids in foster care... that is until she had me. She became a stay-at-home mom once I was born, but she still wanted to continue to help foster kids, so when I got a little older, she started her own non-profit organization. 

Her nonprofit is called Care Cases. It has helped thousands of kids in Central New York have the things they need when they have to leave home and move to a foster home. Each child gets a bag filled with lots of different items like: a blanket, a stuffed animal, a toothbrush and toothpaste, socks, a snack, a drink, etc. 

My Dad, brother, sister, and I all help my mom with making the bags. We make them for boys and girls of all ages and we try to pick things we think they will like. It is a lot of fun and it is very rewarding to know that we are helping in a small way. 

My mom is a special lady and she inspires me to never give up and to remember to help others when I am able to. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. 

Parker Emery

Parker with Teacher, Ms. Bevilacqua

Mom Brittany Emery and Parker

Parker helping with Care Cases