Poland Union school wins national award for good character

By Denise Dick

POLAND — First-grader Cassidy Smith, 7, knows that joy means finding a way to be happy, even if things don’t go your way.

Makayla Sherman, 7, and a first-grader, understands that sometimes you have to wait for what you want. That’s patience.

Courage “means that you’re brave enough to do what you should do even if you’re scared to do it,” explained first-grader Sarah Bury, 8.

Luke Fulton, 7, another first-grader, realizes that uniqueness is about an individual’s talents.

Knowledge of good character traits demonstrated by all Poland Union Elementary pupils earned the school one of seven Core Essentials Awards presented to schools across the country this year and the only one in the state. The program is sponsored by Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta-based fast food chain.