Two Students Honored During Family Day

Fun was in big supply at the Family Day event at Christmas Hill Park.

There were craft tables, face painting, and a climbing wall for kids (and a few intrepid adults) as well as great live music and classic cars for every member of the family.

But two young students reminded the crowd of the real meaning behind Memorial Day. Adrianna Queen and Skyler Hungerford, both sixth graders at Ascencion Solorsano Middle School, wrote inspiring essays about Memorial Day that captured the holiday's true meaning.

Adrianna Queen won the essay contest and was awarded a $100 savings bond. Runner-up Skyler Hungerford was awarded a $75 savings bond.

In her essay, Adrianna Queen wrote, "Memorial Day is important because it helps me to remember to give thanks for all the brave people who choose to go to war knowing the consequences of war. That is why I think of Memorial Day as being important while some people might think of Memorial Day as a day off, a bad day because a lot of stores are closed, or even a good time to go on a road trip... because they are taking Memorial Day for granted."

Adrianna notes in her essay how she remembers all the soldiers who have fought to keep Americans free. "I take part in Memorial Day by going to parades and waving a mini American flag as I watch the memorial floats go by. I also hoist my larger flag to the side of my house to show my gratitude for the soldiers. And a final thing I can do is attend

As a contest winner, Adrianna participated in this year's parade by riding in the Wells Fargo stagecoach. 

Adrianna's mom, Marcia Queen, said that Adrianna was nervous about submitting her essay. "She was a little worried," she said. "But when she found out she had won she was very excited."

When asked if winning the contest and riding in the parade have given her a new perspective on Memorial Day, Adrianna thought about it for a moment and then said, "The day is really about remembering the soldiers who fought and died in wars."