Youngsters Honored For 'Giving Smiles' Back

Hillsborough dentist Dr. Laurene Wolf honored three local yougsters in the fourth annual "Giving Smiles" essay contest recently.

The program was established as a way to recognize young people who are giving back to the community, Wolf said. The essays discussed large-scale projects and small acts of kindness and charity. One of the program's goals is to inspire others to get involved and give back to the community as the honorees have done.

This years winners were:

• First place–Jonathan Coder: $1,000 donation to Altzheimer’s Association and complimentary orthodontic treatment by Dr. Wolf.
• Second place–Katie Heck: $750 donation to Millstone Valley Fire Department.
• Third place–Anthony Quesada: $500 donation to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.

A reception was held on May 28 to announce the winning essays. 

During February, which is National Children’s Dental Health Month, children in kindergarten through 12th grade were eligible to enter by submitting a 500 word essay that describes their charitable involvement. After review by a committee that consisted of members of the educational community, the three winning essays were selected. 

One of the judges, Margaret Von Schilling, a teacher in the Montgomery school district, attended the event and praised the students for their altruism. She also charged them to get others involved in community service and volunteering.