Elwood Girl Pens Winning Essay About Firefighter Father

Kindergartner Madelyn Moreno and her fellow classmates from Harley Avenue Primary School in the Elwood Union Free School District received a special visit from Long Island Ducks and TD Bank representatives on Jan. 26. Madelyn was recently selected as one of four winners and the first kindergarten student ever to win TD Bank's annual essay contest, “Take a Duck to Class.”

The essay prompt asked students to write about a hero in their community in 250 words or less and submit their entries to LIDucks.com this past fall. Madelyn dedicated her submission to her father, a volunteer firefighter. Out of thousands of student submissions, Madelyn’s essay was one that stuck out.

“Madelyn wrote about a fireman, which was great, but there was a kick to her essay because the fireman was also her dad,” said Doug Cohen, Ducks assistant general manager/senior vice president of sales. “We wanted to recognize her dad and also award Madelyn for her essay because it really impressed us.”

A special assembly took place for the kindergartners where Mr. Cohen congratulated Madelyn on her essay and gave her the opportunity to read it to her peers. TD Bank representatives Eric Fishon and Robert Lashuk were also on hand to award Madelyn with a $50 Visa gift card for her accomplishment. Madelyn’s parents, Louis and Lauren Moreno, cheered their daughter on during the event. Dressed in his bunker gear, Mr. Moreno answered many of the students’ questions.

The Long Island Ducks mascot QuackerJack also made a special guest appearance which resulted in a loud applause from the students. Following the assembly, Madelyn’s entire class enjoyed a private autograph session with QuackerJack in their classroom and took home gift bags filled with items, courtesy of TD Bank and the Long Island Ducks.

Story by Syntax, Photos courtesy of the Elwood Union Free School District :

1. Take a Duck to Class” essay winner Madelyn Moreno with QuackerJack and her parents Louis and Lauren Moreno.
2. Doug Cohen, the Long Island Ducks assistant general manager/senior vice president of sales, introduced QuackerJack to Madelyn Moreno and Harley Avenue Primary School kindergartners on Jan. 26.
3. TD Bank representatives Eric Fishon and Robert Lashuk, Madelyn Moreno, her father Louis Moreno, and her teachers Mrs. Jantzen and Ms. Mancinelli posed with QuackerJack.
4. Madelyn Moreno and her class flashed a smile with QuackerJack, Louis Moreno and TD Bank representatives Eric Fishon and Robert Lashuk.
5. QuackerJack signed autographs for Madelyn Moreno and her classmates as part of her winning the “Take a Duck to Class” essay contest.
6. Madelyn Moreno and her kindergarten class received gift bags courtesy of TD Bank and the Long Island Ducks on Jan. 26.