By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Grinch was present Friday morning at Lincoln Elementary School, but more the Grinch at the end of the Dr. Suess classic. Sixth grader Audilynn Parker, decked out in her festive green Grinch sweater, was surprised in front of her classmates with the news that she was Eagle Media's December winner in the Make a Difference Contest.
"What I put down was complimenting someone at least once a day because I just felt like it was the right thing since some people don't have good self-esteem," Audilynn said.
As a winner in the Make a Difference Contest, Audilynn was handed a Great Bend Chamber gift certificate worth $100. Her teacher, Karen Ekberg, also received $100. She said Audilynn is new to the school this year but she has not shied away from other students.
"She is great with all the students," Ekberg said. "She will pitch in and help. We have a program called Capturing Kids' Hearts and she is actively involved in doing that as well, abiding by her social contract and helping out her peers."
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:
Listen: Monday's 1590 KVGB/95.5 FM news featuring Audilynn
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.