Englehart student wins $10,000 scholarship in national writing contest

An Englehart girl’s writing gift won her a big cash prize in a national writing contest.

The annual Meaning of Home contest asks 4th, 5th and 6th graders to share what home means to them.

5th grade student Gloria Bury is a finalist, winning a $10,000 grant for Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North. See his entry at the end of this story.

“Gloria’s poem not only beautifully captures the sense of home for her, but it also contributed $10,000 to build the future of two families,” said Kimberley Woodcock, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Ontario. Gateway North.

For the third year in a row, a record number of students shared what home means to them as part of Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Meaning of Home contest, according to a news release from hurry.

Over 13,000 students registered, breaking last year’s record of over 1,000 registrations and raising over $311,000 for local Habitat for Humanity organizations across Canada.

“By sharing what a home means to them, students learn about affordable housing issues in their community and raise funds to help build homes for people who need safe and decent housing,” said Emily Tingey, Digital Engagement Coordinator.

In addition to the three grand prize winners who each won a $30,000 scholarship for a local Habitat, nine finalists won a $10,000 scholarship and each student who entered the competition received a $10 donation towards their Local housing.

“Habitat for Humanity Gateway Northern Ontario was thrilled to see students in our communities reflect on the strength and stability that a home provides. They have each contributed in their own way to Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live,” says Woodcock.

The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of Founding Sponsor, SagenTM, Urban Systems Foundation Award Sponsors, Chapman’s Ice Cream and Home Trust, and Microban 24 Judging Sponsors, Face to Face Games and Hunter Douglas.

“We couldn’t be more proud that this competition continues to grow year after year,” said Stuart Levings, President of Sagen. “Children across Canada have the unique opportunity to be a part of something so nationally important while helping their local community at the same time, all with a short poem or essay.”

Here is Gloria’s entry.

My home is in a very small town, so home is the whole community. Home is school because my friends care about me, we play and learn together, and we love each other very much.

Home is at the curling rink because I go to many community events there and learn how to play there! When I’m at the curling rink, I feel at home and like family.

The house is not just a structure. A home is where you grow physically, mentally, socially and emotionally.

Home is where you are loved and where you learn from your mistakes.

Home is where you create memories, some good and some bad.

Home is where you can be yourself, not feel judged, and be accepted. In any house you have to help. It also means in your community! I enjoy helping my community by volunteering at the community garden, helping with food drives, picking up litter, running for Terry Fox, and visiting residents at the seniors’ residence.

I enjoy helping others make a difference in their lives and making my community a better place to live. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but for me it takes a village to make a home. By participating in this contest, I will help other people to get a house and hopefully a house like mine. One of the many reasons I love Habitat for Humanity is that they make homes so a family can make a home. My home is where my heart is!