ABERDEEN, S.D. – Kalista Aadland couldn’t decide which of her grandparents to write about in her grandparent essay, so she chose to write about her great-grandmother instead.
It was a great choice—Aadland’s essay won first place, and not just locally.
She remembers when Aberdeen School Board member Dr. Gayle Bortnem came to her classroom last spring to announce that she won first place for not only her school, but also all of Aberdeen—and the entire state of South Dakota.
“My heart was going so fast,” said Aadland, now a sixth grader at Simmons Middle School.
The annual Retired School Personnel Grandparent Essay Contest is open to all fifth-grade students in South Dakota. Aadland’s essay was selected out of almost 1,000 entries—and she is the first student from Aberdeen to win first place at the state level of the competition.
Aadland received her award at the SDRSPG Convention in Pierre, where she also read her essay to retired teachers from across South Dakota and received a plaque.
Aadland’s essay was about her great-grandma, Gale, who lives in Veblen. Aadland wrote about her house, what she does for her family—and her role in the community’s 125th celebration.
“She was the grand marshal, so we got to watch her in the parade,” she said.
Aadland said she shares some traits with her great-grandma.
“She likes to read, and so do I,” she said. “She does like to cook a lot, and I like to help my parents.”
What does she admire most about her?
“How she keeps track of all the grandkids and cousins, and great-grandkids,” she said.
Aadland also admires all of her grandparents.
“I have two sets of grandparents that live in town, so we see them a lot, and it’s really fun to hang out with them,” she said.
She also has grandparents who live on a farm outside of St. Lawrence.
“It’s really fun to go ride on the four wheelers,” she said.
She has grandparents who live in Minnesota as well, and, “It’s fun with them because all my cousins live by them, too.”
Aadland enjoys writing, and her grandparent essay wasn’t her only victory—she also entered a DARE essay contest last spring and won first place for her classroom.
“I liked writing before, but when we did writing every day in fifth grade, it started to get a lot more fun,” she said.
At school, Aadland participates in cross country and plans to audition for show choir.
What does she like best about school?
“All the teachers,” she said. “They’re all really nice and helpful.”
Now with two writing victories under her belt, Aadland encouraged other students who are considering entering a contest to go for it.
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.