Bracken Co. Girl Wins State AARP/KRTA Essay Contest

Felicia Rayburn Wins AARP Grandparent of the Year Essay Contest

Source: AARP.org | June 16, 2005

Felicia Rayburn, 11, of Foster, KY has won this year's AARP Grandparent of the Year Essay Contest. The Bracken County Middle School 5th grader's tribute to her "Papaw" is a touching story about a young girl being raised by her grandfather.

"My life changed when I was six," writes Felicia. "I had lived with my Mamaw and Papaw for years. My Mamaw died three years ago. That just left my Papaw and me, but my Papaw and I pulled through it."

Papaw is 75-year-old Claude Maxwell Johnson. He and his late wife have been raising Felicia since she was abandoned by her parents shortly after birth.

"I'm really proud of her," said Johnson. "I can't get around much and don't do near the things younger parents can do. I'm glad she thinks I'm doing a good job."

As with most parent-child relationships, there are some tough times and Felicia wrote about them too.

Essay winner Felicia Rayburn and her "Papaw" Claude Johnson, Grandparent of the Year.

"The thing I hate is that every good man has a few glitches," says Felicia. "Papaw's is discipline. Papaw says he still has to punish me and teach me how to be a successful young lady. He might spoil me like a rich kid but he doesn't let me get away with anything."

AARP Kentucky and the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association (KRTA), in an attempt to call attention to the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren, joined forces four years ago to create the annual "AARP Kentucky Grandparent of the Year" essay contest.

Schools decide at the beginning of a new school year if they will participate and the assignment is made each Fall. Judging is based on grammar, form, neatness, creativity, expression and the characteristics of the grandparent.

The judging is conducted by local members of the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association. The state winner is chosen by a panel composed of AARP Kentucky and KRTA representatives This year, over 5,000 5th graders from 128 schools in 60 counties participated.

Felicia and her "Papaw" were honored at the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association (KRTA) annual convention April 22 in Louisville. She received a $100 savings bond and she and her grandfather received a plaque commemorating the occasion. They will also receive an expense-paid trip to the state Capitol in Frankfort later this year.

AARP Kentucky and KRTA are strong advocates for grandparents' rights and work to provide solutions faced by people left with the challenges of raising their children's children. There are 35,818 Kentucky grandparents who report they are responsible for meeting the basic needs of their grandchildren.

Other Resources

• Find more information online about Grandparenting
• Read Felicia's Winning Essay