Mother's Day Essay Contest Winners Announced; Prizes to Be Awarded May 11

RALEIGH, NC, May 11, 2012 (Press-News.org) David Rivera, Aversboro Elementary, and Natalia Garay, Efland-Cheeks Elementary, submitted the winning essays in a Mother's Day essay contest sponsored by National Pawn. The topic of the essay was, "My Mother." David's teacher is Ms. Sheryl Weichbrodt, and Natalia's teacher is Mrs. Anna Toone. Prizes include a pair of diamond earrings valued at $1,000 for David and Natalia's mothers, and a $2,500 check for school supplies to each winner's school. David, Natalia and their families will be presented the prizes at a ceremony to be held at 3:30 p.m., Friday, May 11, in the National Pawn store at 2751 Capital Blvd., Raleigh.

"I believe in actively encouraging education and supporting schools as a rule, and I feel that it is especially important during these times of declining tax revenues and shrinking budgets," said Moulton. "It was my intent to motivate the students to creatively express their feelings for their mothers or other strong female role models, as well as reward the teachers and the individual schools where the winners attend."

The contest was open to all K-5 students in the three major Triangle school districts: Durham, Orange and Wake.

About the Judges

Reese Pierceall is Lead Instructor for Communications in the Fine Arts Dept at Wake Technical Community College. Ms. Pierceall teaches many communications courses and serves as mentor for other instructors in the department.

Vallonda Calloway is the host of NBC-17's My Carolina Today. She is also familiar to Triangle audiences from her career as reporter and anchor at WRAL.

Melody Butts is the Education reporter for the Durham Herald-Sun newspaper. Her primary focus is stories related to K-12 education in the Triangle.

Copies of the winning essays and photos of the ceremony are available on request.

National Pawn (www.pawndeals.com) has been serving customers since 1987. With eight stores throughout the Triangle and Wilmington, National Pawn is an industry leader. The company has grown thanks to the tens of thousands of satisfied customers. The professionals at National Pawn pride themselves on offering exemplary customer service.

At National Pawn customers are offered courteous and confidential instant cash loans on their items of value. Additionally, National Pawn is a bargain shopper's paradise. All merchandise is guaranteed.