From left, Winona Lake Police Sgt. Joe Bumbaugh, Katheryn Robertson, Winona Lake Police Chief Joe Hawn, Barry McManus, owner of Trailhouse Village Bicycles, Cindy Hepler, representing the Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation, and Katheryn Monsma. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

Staff Report

WINONA LAKE – Two students who submitted essays about their impressions of the coronavirus pandemic were awarded new bikes from Trailhouse Village Bicycles on Monday, April 27.

The winners were Katheryn Robertson, a fourth-grade student at Jefferson Elementary, and Lakeland Christian Academy ninth-grade student Katheryn Monsma.

The essay contest was created by Winona Lake Police Department whose officers work with Lakeland Christian Academy and Jefferson Elementary School in Winona Lake. The prizes were made possible through the Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation.

Each school was given a different task to write about, according to a news release from the police department.

Jefferson Elementary students were asked to color a picture of a local hero in their life and write about what that hero means to the student. At Lakeland, students were directed to write about the current state of events with Covid-19 and to describe how this has affected their lives. 

Police Chief Joe Hawn found it interesting that both essays involved current events and how the coronavirus affects everyone. 

Katheryn Robertson wrote about her Aunt Kari, a respiratory therapist in an Ohio hospital. She wrote about how her aunt works directly with patients diagnosed with Covid-19.

Katheryn Monsma, explained in her essay how she has much more time in her life currently to show love, serve the Lord and think about how she could better serve others around her.  

Both winners received a bicycle and a helmet from Trailhouse Village Bicycles. 

On hand for the presentation were Chief Hawn and Sgt. Joe Bumbaugh both of whom spend a lot of time in both schools. 

Additionally, Cindy Hepler, from the board of directors for the Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation, as well as the owner of Trailhouse Village Bicycles, Barry McManus, were on hand for this presentation Monday.

Gift cards will be issued to other top pictures and essays from both schools.