From "crazy cat lady" grandmas to tough-but-funny grandpas, older Americans were recognized for their general awesomeness Monday in Grand Forks.
Fourth-grade winners of an annual contest read essays about their favorite older person before dozens of families and educators at the Grand Forks Senior Center. Judges from Service Providers for Seniors, which holds the contest, selected winners after reading essays from 41 classrooms in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.
Children shared with the crowd treasured everyday moments, such as going to the beach with Grandma to being impressed by Grandpa's sacrifices during the Great Depression.
Some students drew laughter. Claire Hynek of Ben Franklin Elementary School said she admires her grandpa for his humor.
"Some of his funny quotes are, 'Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone,' " she said.
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But her favorite part about her grandpa "is him being him," she said.
Lauryn Mason of Century Elementary School told the crowd about her smart, funny and sarcastic grandmother.
"I'm very lucky and you are, too, for hearing about her," she said.
Annela Winger, a retired Grand Forks teacher, emceed the event. Many years ago, she told her daughters "to listen to the older people, because their lives give us a window into a world that they will never know about."
"It sounds like these fourth-graders here today have definitely done that," she said.
Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown said the event is one of his favorite to attend during the year.
Reading the essays "remind me of what's truly important," he said.
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