Oh, sweet victory for American Girl Doll winners

Here are the winners of the two contests conducted by The Vindicator to give readers a chance to win an American Girl Doll:

Left is Anna Buffone, 8, daughter of John and Nicole Buffone of Leetonia. She entered the essay contest and won a Molly McIntire doll.

With her is Elizabeth King of Canfield, whose name was pulled in the drawing for the winner of a Julie Albright doll.

Both contests were held in conjunction with the American Girl Fashion Show and Luncheon sponsored by the Angels for Easters Seals yesterday and today at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman.

Proceeds from the two-day event will benefit the Easter Seals of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.

WITH DAUGHTERS LIKE THESE, IT SEEMS THEIR PARENTS ARE THE REAL WINNERS

At first the timing of this year’s American Girl Doll essay contest didn’t concern me. Even though it meant the entries would be pouring in at the same time I’d be knee-deep in the changes to my little corner of the newsroom brought about by our new press, no sweat. I could juggle both. Big mistake.

It soon became obvious that this exciting time in the life of The Vindicator and its current employees would also be an incredibly busy one. Only a few of our newsroom staffers experienced the last press changeover. Me? I missed that one by only two months. Otherwise I’d have known what to expect.

No problem. Selecting last year’s essay contest winner was easy. If this year’s response was anything like that, the winner would fall right in my lap again. Bigger mistake.

At the end of deadline day, I looked at the stack of entries that I had been unable to find time to whittle down to a manageable few. I fought the temptation to just reach in and grab one. Instead I gathered them up and headed home for the weekend.

I liken my selection of this year’s winner to that of a coach making cuts during preseason team tryouts. Long, tedious, calculated.

For the process of elimination I decided the best place to start would be to weed out the easy ones — those that were simply too long, that didn’t comply with the rules. With that, my pile was lessened by, hmm, five. I repeated the process to find any that didn’t include the required contact information. How could I call someone to tell them they won if they didn’t give me their phone number? That increased the rejection pile to only six. Uh oh. At this point I put the coffeepot on. It was going to be a long afternoon.

I asked for this, I suppose.

Months ago when the time came to pick which of the American Girl dolls would be the essay prize, the choice was an easy one. We had just wrapped up our Operation: Holiday Cheer project, which draws attention to the sacrifices of our Valley soldiers.

The story that comes with the coveted essay prize, the Molly McIntire doll, is that of a 9-year-old girl living during the World War II era and how she becomes aware of the sacrifices being made by the soldiers and their families.

For a connection between the contest and prize, we went with “sacrifice” as the essay theme, asking 8- to 12-year-old girls to write about someone in their own lives who makes sacrifices of any kind for them.

It didn’t take long to realize that this topic struck a chord with the majority of our young audience, who chose to acknowledge — and with a passion — a parent or occasionally a grandparent for what they consider to be sacrifices.

That’s when the job gravitated from the couch to the living floor as my two piles soon grew to three, then four, and eventually five ... moms who go above and beyond ... dads who do without so their daughters can do ... grandparents who pinch-hit while the parents are out earning a living to provide for their family. And so on. While I suspect you parents don’t consider doing what good parents do to be sacrifices, the fact remains, you’re viewed as heroes in the eyes of these girls. I could have declared any one of them a winner based on their sincerity alone.

I can only hope that you parents had the opportunity to read your daughters’ essays before they shipped them off to Contest Central here. If you did, you received one of the most rewarding gifts a parent can receive — your child’s appreciation. In writing!

If you’re like me you’ll: 1. realize those precious sentences make all of those difficult times of responsible parenting worth it, and 2. use it as ammo for the next difficult time of responsible parenting.

Just as I was starting to fear that this year’s contest would end in a stalemate, my sixth pile, the “nonparent” pile, produced what I feel is the hands-down winner.

As it turned out 8-year-old Anna Buffone of Leetonia took the theme one step further and zeroed in on war-related sacrifices, in keeping with Molly’s story. A few others did so as well, but what set Anna’s entry apart was how she acknowledged such sacrifices on two levels — the sacrifices one particular soldier is making to keep Anna and her country safe as well as the sacrifices that result for his family. It is not only insightful, but sensitive. Special enough to leave her contenders in her dust.

Anna wasn’t done impressing me, either. When she came to the newsroom to claim her doll, her parents, John and Nicole Buffone, brought me up to speed on what transpired after she got “the call.” She told her parents that she thought she should give Molly to Sophia Encina, the schoolmate Anna refers to in her essay, since she won the doll based on Sophia’s trying circumstances while her dad is serving in Afghanistan.

With that, John and Nicole sprung into action, looking for a suitable solution. I suspect they felt, as I do, that both girls deserve a doll.

That solution came when John, whose job with First Merit Bank in Akron puts him in touch with Ohio car dealers, contacted a longtime friend and client, Steve Bott, sales manager at Mark Thomas Ford in Cortland. Steve, in turn, took the heartwarming story directly to the owner, Tom Levak. And, yep, you’ve no doubt guessed it. Tom is making sure a second doll finds its way into this happy ending.

Epilogue:

Joining Anna in the newsroom this week was another winner, Elizabeth King of Canfield, whose name was pulled in The Vindicator’s drawing for a doll.

She says she’ll be adding Julie Albright, the fun-loving California girl in the American Girl Doll product line, to her collection of childhood dolls that she has on display in a spare room at her home.

Congratulations to both winners! Based on the enthusiasm of the young girls who called during these recent weeks to make sure I received their entries, then the disappointment in their voices in recent days when I had to tell them that the winner had been notified, I have to say, these are two, no, three lucky ladies!

Barb Shaffer is Society/Features Editor for The Vindicator.

Here is Anna's winning essay:

There is a girl in my class, most people may not know it, but her and her family makes a sacrifice for me everyday. You see, they don’t get to sit down and have a family dinner every night like I do. And she doesn’t get to have her daddy help her with homework or even tuck her into bed at night. Because her daddy is fighting right now in Afghanistan.

I appreciate the sacrifices the men and women of the military make for me and my country. These people are away from their families and risk their lives for us and for freedom and justice.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER ESSAYS WE RECEIVED. THEY ARRIVED BY E-MAIL:

By Natalie M. May, 11

Salineville

My Dad-My Hero

My Dad Sacrifices a lot for my family. He helps many people as a volunteer firefighter. My dad is the one who puts food on our table. He doesn’t just sacrifice his time, he also sacrifices his love! I had surgery and I told my dad to go to work because he could lose his job, but he sacrificed his job for me. If you were me you would know my dad loves and sacrifices a lot for me. This is why I want write this to him, about him. I love you daddy ... you are everything to me.

Haely Porter, 8

Alliance

My Aunt Kimmy has given things up for me and my sisters. She gave up her horse so we could each get out own. My horses name is Chance and he’s a rescue horse. When he first got here he was very skinny and we didn’t think he would live, but he did. The first night my Aunt stayed out in the barn all night trying to get Chance to eat. After that she fed him every two hours all day and all night. When he finally started gaining weight she started feeding him every four hours and now he gets fed three times a day. Because my Aunt spent so much time with Chance he is now fat and healthy!! I got to sit on Chance for the first time, after having him for 5 months and it was great!! I couldn’t sit on him when we first got him because he was so skinny and week. My sisters and I all have our own horses, my Aunt pays for everything for them, but she says they belong to us and she can never get rid of them unless we say, but we never will. Because my Aunt gave up so much of her time and money my sisters and I have our own horses and a horse that was going to die got to live.

Katie Sanders, 11

Washingtonvile

My name is Katie, when i was a baby my mom gave up a lot for me. She quit her job to take care of me. I was a month old and got very sick, i was went by helicopter to the hospital. I almost lost my life, but my mom stayed by my side. They say that the only reason i made it was because of her touch of her hand rubbing lotion on me, she always used baby magic. I had lots of tubes so it was hard to hold me. So i pick my mommy.

Alana, 8,

Youngstown

I am going to be writing about my dad .

My dad sacrifices for me because he makes money for us to live in a house and to eat.

All that matters is that he is always there for me. He makes me very happy .

He supports me for everything I do , and that makes my heart feel super happy .

My mom,dad and my brother, plus me ,are all going to New York together as a family.They are helping me pursue an opportunity I was given. It’s more fun to be together & we all love each other. We won’t leave any one behind .We will all be making alot of sacrifices to go and to give me the chance at making my own life better.

Every Saterday and Sunday morning my dad makes us a wonderful breakfast .We love his meals, he makes us . He’s a wonderful cook ! He will make breakfast,lunch and dinner that I LOVE !

Recently, my family and me built a triple doll bunk bed for my American girl dolls to sleep in and it’s wonderful . If it weren’t for sacrifices and my self and my family, I would have never know what American girl dolls are. I am greatful and appreciate my family. Sacrifices are worth it.

Alana, 8

Youngstown

I have another person that makes big sacrifices . My grandma. She sacrifices alot of herself and her time, even the time with me. She has alot of love to share and raises foster children.She is really a special person to do that.

When we spend time together, it is not about how much more time we spend that matters. What matters is , time we spend and play together and what we do with that time.Like crafts and games., like monopoly city. My grandma showed me that sacrificing yourself to help others can be positive and rewarding kinda way of life. It makes everyone feel good. She makes my life better by not just teaching and telling me things , but showing me how to be a better person by helping others and giving by making my own sacrifices.

Erin Onderko, 8

New Wilmington, Pa.

A person who has made sacrifices is my mom. My mom put her career on hold to stay home for me and my sisters. Every day she is spending some of her time for me. When she is at the store, she buys me clothes and food. My mom helps me with my homework every day after school. She also spends her time to take me to activities, such as chorus, softball and church youth group. That is a person who has made sacrifices to make my life better.

Kristen Henderson, 11

Girard

Someone who sacrifices to make my life better is my grandparents. At 2:00 in the afternoon my grandparents drive from their house in Youngstown and come to pick my sisters and me up from school in Girard. After school they sometimes stop and get fast food to eat or Baba will make something to eat like red soup. They watch and play with us until my mom comes home. We always talk about our day and start our homework. They stay for a few minutes to talk to our Mom then go home.

Abigail Morris, 11

Liberty Township

My Mom, My Hero

I watched my mom make sacrifices for me and my brothers my whole life. And I know with my strong mother by my side, I’ll be fine. All I need to know is that she loves and cares for me. She’ll be here until the end. She shows it in every little thing she says and does. This essay was to be about someone who made sacrifices to make your own life better. I don’t think my mom just made “sacrifices”, she gave her life to us and she continues to build her life, one we are all proud of.

My mom, Mary Jo Morris, makes TONS of sacrifices for my family. She stays home with my little brother A.J. Anytime we have something strange on our body, she checks it out right away. She is always pushing us to develop our talents and do our best. She encouraged me to do this contest. She bought a “Hooked on French” packet so our family could learn how to speak French. Even though Mom gets on my nerves sometimes trying to do the best for me, I love her, and know I could do nothing without her.

Hannah Walker, 11

Warren

Being the only girl in my family is very hard, but everyone knows that there is always a silver lining behind dark clouds. And who is this silver lining? MY MOM! She is my silver lining. She sacrifices her time to spend time with me. She gives up her time to teach, help, and encourage me. Many years ago before I was born, she gave up her job to take care of her kids after her second baby boy was about to be born. My Mom is the best in her little and big sacrifices!

Kristin Douglas, 9

Ashland

This essay is about my Nana. She gave us lunch money. She always sacrifices money to buy candy for us. She sacrifices money for my family to help us buy food, hardware, and clothes. She helps my Mom and Dad when they are gone or go out on a date. She always sacrifices to see our wonderful, loving family. My Nana has sacrificed so much she should go and have a break. My Nana is the best Nana any kid could have! If you had her as your Nana you would be thankful too. Maybe your person is this nice.

Crystal Coon, 11

Franklin, Pa

The person in my life who makes sacrifices for me is my mom. She gives up four hours each morning to homeschool me and make sure I get a better education. She was an excellent nurse, but in pubic school I wasn’t getting challenged and taught about the Bible. My mother gave up her entire career to teach me and my younger brother at home and give us a Biblical heritage. I love my mom and I am glad that she sacrifices for me!

Ceira Kalna, 9

Austintown

My mom and dad use their money for my sisters, my brother and I instead of using it for them and and takes us out to eat. I really appreciate it. When they do that I i always say you do not have to do tha. My mom and dad say well you need it so you get it. They go to work and cook dinner and other stuff. They do love me and I love them very much. They buy me things even if i do not need them. They are wonderful parents.

Sarah Leach, 8

Poland

MY DAD

I picked my dad because he works over time to go on vacation. My dad is the only one that has a job so he’s the one who gets the money so we can get food and toys and to make sure were not poor. He pays the bill’s to the lights so we have light to see and to make the computers work and give power to the stove so my mom can cook. He doesn’t just worry about himself he helps any body that needs help. So that’s the story about my dad.

Cami Post

East Liverpool

My mom sacrifices her pleasures for my brother and I. She works her hardest to make sure we’re okay. We wouldn’t have now without her. My mom is very kind and she will help anyone. She is very loving. she is waiting until i graduate from high school to go back to college. She gives up so much for us, even if it’s a wamt not a need. My mom is very funny. She usually makes me laugh when i’m sad. Sometimes her sarcasm gets out of hand. She supplies me with everything i need though!

Becca Oyler, 9

Boardman

My Step Dad Carl Galterio makes many sacrifices to make my life better. When Mom works early in the morning, Carl takes me to school.

Even though it makes him late for work. But Carl never complains because he loves me. Carl spends time with me. Even when he has lots of other important things to do. Carl makes me feel that I am more important than anything to him. Carl will even give me the last piece of pizza, even if he really wants it! Carl not only sacrifices for me, he sacrifices for our whole family.

Morgan Morrison, 10

Lordstown

My grandma sacrifices her life because she has breast cancer. She couldn’t go to work, play with us or even be able to do anything for awhile. When she had her first surgery I was worried, but I knew she was sacrificing her life to not only make her life better but to make my whole families better. She was there forever it seemed like. She had so many marks and cuts that I started to cry and run away. The sacrifices she had made then made her become who she is today. Today she almost cancer free.

Megan Packard

(No other info provided)

My true hero is my Lord. The reason why is because he has done so much for me in my life. He has sacrificed his life for, not only me, but for everyone of us. He died for our sins, he has gaven me strength when I needed healing, but the thing he has done for me that has gaven me the fulfillness of my heart......is sending my Uncle Pat’s spirit up to his Kingdom of

Peace. I can sometimes hear my Unlce’s laugh. Sometimes he is even in my dreams.

Well, there you go. I told you the person who sacrificed alot in their life to make mine better. I hope i get that American Girl and if I dont, well I think it was worth a try.

Aminah Harp, 7

New Castle, Pa.

My name is Aminah Harp. I am 7 years old. I live in New Castle Pennsylvania. The person who makes sackrafices is My Sister. My Sister play’s dollie games with me. She snuggles me. She checks my homework. These are the sackrafices my sister

does for me.

Cassie Mead, 11

Columbiana

For my whole life I have been an only child. That was until July, 25, 2008. Just over a month after my 10th birthday, my little sister was born. The person who sacrifices there life is my mom. She knew I was lonely as an only child. And she knew I would be lonely as an adult without a sibling to depend on, especially once she and my father were gone. She did it for me. The biggest sacrifice is my mom almost lost her life. This doll will be for my sister if I win. I love my family.

Audrey Schweers, 10

Poland Township

I am choosing to write about my dad because he has sacrificed alot for me and his community. You see, my father, Dennis, is a olice officer. He has given up sleep so he can come to my softball games and he gives up spending time with his family because he has to work holidays and weekends. Everyday my father risks his life for his community by dealing with people during bad situations.

I am so proud of him and thankful for all the sacrifices he makes everyday to provide wonderful things for me and my family. Thank you, Dad!

Destiny Nevaeh Leskovac, 8

My sister, Mariah, was diagnosed with a rare cancer, Neuroblastoma. When I first heard, I was so scared. What was going to happen? I had to stay with different relatives. My mom, dad and sister went to New York for treatment. I couldn’t go because of school. We missed each other so much. My whole family sacrificed so my sister could live. We also gave away our puppy because we weren’t home enough to take care of him. These are the biggest sacrifices my family has ever made, but they were worth it because we love my sister so much.

Annabelle Adkins, 9

Boardman

My father, Wesley Adkins, was a medic in the Army for eight years. He sacrificed time with his family so our country would be safe and people around the world can be free. I don’t remember him being at home a lot when I was younger. He sacrificed his health for our country and is now a disabled veteran. When he got out of the Army, he worked all day and went to school at night so he could get a better job and make more money for our family.  He is a great father and a great person.