By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Holy Family fifth grader Chase Perry makes it a general rule to be kind and respectful to everyone. That positive attitude has now come full circle as Chase is the second winner selected in Eagle Media's 2024-25 Make a Difference Contest. His good deeds came near and far from home.
"This summer, I gave food to homeless people in Honolulu, Hawaii while we were on vacation," he said, "and I had to jump in and save a boy in the pool last year."
As a winner in the Make a Difference Contest, Chase was handed a Great Bend Chamber gift certificate worth $100. His Holy Family teacher, Joan Henning, also received $100. She said Chase is a well-read student with a creative mind, and it comes as no surprise he would be recognized for making a difference.
"He's very kind to the other classmates and is always attentive to their needs," she said. "I can understand why he had some nice things to write about making a difference because he definitely does in our classroom, too."
Chase is the son of Jason Perry and Kelsey Sciacca.
Make a Difference Contest forms were distributed to Barton County elementary schools in August. Eligible students can enter the contest by filling out the form and stating how they are making a difference in the world around them. Winners are randomly selected with the student winning a $100 chamber certificate and the nominating teacher winning $100. New winners will be drawn each month through May.
The winning student will also get a visit from Eagle Media staff and be featured on a radio news broadcast. This year's contest is powered by the following sponsors:
Medical Park Pharmacy, Mayo Money Management, Hazmat Response, Protective Equipment Testing Lab, R&R Roofing, Freedom Claims Management, Inc., Rosencrantz-Bemis Water Well Company, Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management, Miller Plastics/Miller Warehouse, Nex-Tech Wireless, USD #431 Hoisington, Great Bend Redi Mix, Heavy Duty Diesel & Auto, USD #428 Great Bend.