Celebrating One Special Grand-Dad

By Scott Wegenast , April 23, 2013 09:46 PM

Paducah 5th Grader Honors his “Grand-Dad” - Grandparent of the Year Essay Contest

Grandparent_Essay_2013_Akins_Watkins_Podium — 2013 Grandparent of the Year - Dr. C.B. Akins

McNabb Elementary (McCraken Co.) 5 ^th grader David Watkins, Jr.'s family joined AARP Kentucky and the state’s retired teachers to celebrate his award winning essay.

Watkins received this year's top honors in the Grandparent of the Year essay contest sponsored by Kentucky Retired Teachers Association (KRTA) and AARP Kentucky. "DJ" and his grandfather, Dr. C.B. Akins, Sr., received their awards at the 12th Annual “Grandparent of the Year” ceremonies in Louisville.

Download and Read: David_Watkins_Essay_Grandparent_Year_2013

The McNabb Elementary School (Paducah) student’s grandfather, Dr. C.B. Akins, Sr., of Lexington was the subject of his winning essay, “Why My Grandparent Should be the AARP Grandparent of the Year.”

According to Watkins, “My Grand-dad is one special person…I look up to him as a role model.” David’s essay was selected from thousands of student entries across 240 schools in 90 Kentucky counties.

Brooke Durham McNabb Elementary 5th grade teacher encouraged Watkins and all her students to write about their grandparents. "I'm so happy for David. He’s a wonderful student. When I first read his essay, I knew it could win statewide,” said Durham.

Grandparent_Essay_2013_Akins_Watkins — Dr. C.B. Akins,Sr. with grandson

The 12 ^th annual contest is intended to highlight the nurturing relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren. “The essay contest is just one important way to show how important grandparents are in the lives of children,” said AARP Kentucky’s KRTA volunteer liaison Neal Tucker of Morganfield.

AARP and KRTA share a long collaborative history and continue to work together to grow the annual essay contest. Judging is based on grammar, form, neatness, creativity, expression and characteristics of the grandparent. Local volunteers from KRTA’s 118 Units facilitate the contest with the winner selected by a panel of AARP and KRTA representatives.

David received a $100 award and special plaque and Mrs. Durham received a commemorative award from AARP. AARP Kentucky Executive Council Member Nelda Barnett, KRTA President and AARP/KRTA Liaison Neal Tucker presented the awards before an audience of hundreds of retired educators.