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Knights of Columbus essay winner tells his own story of survival


The 2017 respect life essay winners, Chris Dinkel, sixth-grade teacher, Mia Lang, daughter of Greg and LaNae Lang, Gabe Stanton, son of Andy and Dana Stanton, Helen Cappuccio, daughter of Amber Cappuccio, Shirley Dinkel, sixth-grade teacher and Lester Robben, Knights of Columbus pro-life chairman.
The St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus in Hays have announced the winners of the sixth-grade respect-life essay contest. The contest is conducted each year at Holy Family Elementary through the creative writing and religion class taught by Shirley Dinkel.

Taking first place is Gabe Stanton, son of Andy and Dana Stanton, Hays, who told his own story of survival from China’s one-child policy. Since Gabe was born with a deformed arm, his parents put him up for adoption because they did not think he’d be able to help on the farm nor take care of them in their old age.

“Besides the “a,w,s” keys on the keyboard, I can do most anything,” Gabe said in his essay. Gabe also feels fortunate to have a sister also adopted from China.

“I feel lucky we were both born,” Gabe said in his essay.

Mia Lang, daughter of Greg and LaNae Lang, Hays, took second place with her essay, “Euthanasia. The third-place winner was Helen Cappuccio, daughter of Amber Cappuccio, Hays, with her essay, “Abortion is wrong.”

The students were awarded hand-made ladder rosaries and all students received a respect-life wrist band. They, along with their families, will be recognized at the Knights of Columbus Christmas Party in December.

— Submitted

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