a family story of courage class book

I d a h o V i r t u a l A c a d e m y

2014

Family Stories of Courage Compositions from the Fourth and Fifth Grade

Students of Mrs. Andrus’ ELA Classes

2nd Semester 2014

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Contents Triston Adams ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Breyden Allen ................................................................................................................................................ 4

Ezias Andrus .................................................................................................................................................. 5

Judah Argon .................................................................................................................................................. 6

Hannah Baker ................................................................................................................................................ 7

Reuben Blackeagle ........................................................................................................................................ 8

Josephine Booth ............................................................................................................................................ 9

Grace Brunk ................................................................................................................................................ 10

Tyler Calabretto .......................................................................................................................................... 11

Lacie Carroll ................................................................................................................................................. 12

Chandler Check ........................................................................................................................................... 13

Angelina Collignon ...................................................................................................................................... 14

Allison Comer .............................................................................................................................................. 15

Joseph Cope ................................................................................................................................................ 16

Lillian Dean .................................................................................................................................................. 17

Brody Duff ................................................................................................................................................... 18

Katelyn Eacker ............................................................................................................................................. 19

Rosalee "Rosie" Erlendson .......................................................................................................................... 20

Suzanna Farris ............................................................................................................................................. 21

Mariah Ferguson ......................................................................................................................................... 22

Michael Fithian............................................................................................................................................ 23

Cadence Gilmore ......................................................................................................................................... 24

Joseph Gocken ............................................................................................................................................ 25

Ethan Gould ................................................................................................................................................ 26

Luke Greathouse ......................................................................................................................................... 27

Logan Greathouse ....................................................................................................................................... 28

Emma Hinebaugh ........................................................................................................................................ 29

Hannah Holcomb ........................................................................................................................................ 30

Noah Humphus ........................................................................................................................................... 31

Evan Hurtado .............................................................................................................................................. 32

Sarah Jarvis .................................................................................................................................................. 33

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Tanna Jensen ............................................................................................................................................... 34

Zackery Jensen ............................................................................................................................................ 35

Nathan "Gage" Jones .................................................................................................................................. 36

Jacob Malony .............................................................................................................................................. 37

Michael Martin ............................................................................................................................................ 38

Raine Martin ............................................................................................................................................... 39

Zachary Martindale ..................................................................................................................................... 40

Tailee Maynard ........................................................................................................................................... 41

Kate Mercer ................................................................................................................................................ 42

Kathrynann Minga....................................................................................................................................... 43

Domick--Ashton Morris ............................................................................................................................... 44

Patrick "Brooks" Murphy ............................................................................................................................ 45

Cameron Murphy ........................................................................................................................................ 46

Tucker Nick .................................................................................................................................................. 47

Logan Omanson .......................................................................................................................................... 48

Richard Piersol ............................................................................................................................................ 49

Anastasia Pinkerton .................................................................................................................................... 50

Hunter Rackham ......................................................................................................................................... 51

Lydia Ripplinger ........................................................................................................................................... 52

Brendon Rogers........................................................................................................................................... 53

Caden Roylance ........................................................................................................................................... 54

Ethan Ruby .................................................................................................................................................. 55

Abigale Saxton............................................................................................................................................. 56

Glen Scott .................................................................................................................................................... 57

Tanner Stotts ............................................................................................................................................... 58

Genevieve Townsend .................................................................................................................................. 59

Anette Vogt ................................................................................................................................................. 60

Spencer Waddell ......................................................................................................................................... 61

Nicholas Walkley ......................................................................................................................................... 62

Connor Weaver ........................................................................................................................................... 63

Mark Whitaker ............................................................................................................................................ 64

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A Family Story of Courage

by

Triston Adams 4th Grade

Class Time: TWTh, 9:00

My story is about me and my aunt. She gave me courage to ride a horse again.

I was at my Aunt Cristal's birthday party, and she told me not to be afraid to ride a horse. Two days before I got bucked off my horse, Tilly. She helped me ride her horse and overcame my fear of horses.

So I rode a horse again because of my aunt. She helped me overcome my fear and have courage.

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by

Breyden Allen 5th Grade


My dad is a great guy! He has been through a lot in his life.

My dad was homeless when he was 17. His dad kicked him out, so he did not finish high school. After that he married my mom. He protects my mom, and they laugh a lot! He started a painting business with my mom and makes money for us. Also, he is a gamer like me!

That is why my dad is such a great guy! I learned that even though you don't finish high school you can still be successful!!!!

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A Family Story of Courage by

Ezias Andrus 5th Grade

Class Time: TTh, 2:00

I am going to wright about my father. Because he does something that I will do when I am an adult. But what I will do will be a bit different.

My father’s grandfather was a programmer, and my father got interested in his grandfather’s job. So my father started to learn about programing.

I now know how papa became a programmer. And I will follow in his footsteps.

My father’s job inspired me to become an inventor. In the future there will be high tech everywhere you turn. Thanks to Mrs. Andrus, the whole class will know about this.

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by

Judah Argon 4th Grade

Class Time: TW, 1:00/2:00

I am writing about my family having to work hard to turn something ugly into something cool.

My family needed a bigger house, so we found a new house to live in. The house was awesome, the only problem was the back yard was covered in dirt, and weeds. We worked hard in the yard all summer long for the end result.

Every day, me and my family had to get up and go outside and pull hundreds of weeds. It was so hot I wanted to give up, but I kept working. It took several weeks for us to pull all the weeds but we finally got the job done. Next, we worked on getting all of the rocks out of the dirt. It was hot and dirty, I thought it would never be done.

After all of the hard work my family did, the yard looks beautiful. Now we have an awesome pool, and the yard is full of grass, I look around and think of all of the hard work my family and I did.

In the future I hope for my dad to build a shop, it would be awesome. I want to keep my yard nice, because it took a lot of hard work to get it that way. I do not want to do all the work again, it would be terrible. But I'm glad that we worked hard on it, because now I'm more thankful to have it.

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Hannah Baker 5th Grade


My story is about how my sister got lost in the forest and it taught me about courage.

Me and my dad were looking for elk and went on the trail. My sister wanted to come and missed the trail. My mom was with my baby sister heading to the car and me and dad were heading to the car. My mom went there and waited for a long time and I saw my mom and my sister then she told us what happened and she sat on a rock, took a deep breath, and called for help. I thought that was so clever because she was 5 years old.

What I learned was not to wander off.

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Reuben Blackeagle 4th Grade


This is based on a true story of my dad's dad, my grandpa, Bennet Lee Jackson. He is no longer with us on Earth; he is in a better place. Now the story starts. One day down at Rapid River my Grandpa Bennet droved his Chevy Nova to the top of 7 Devils, took a tarp, laid in the back of his trunk, put snow on the bottom. He went back to Rapid River and caught over 100 salmon with a dip net and came back home and passed it out to the elders. Then he went hunting. He shot 5 or six bull elk, brought them home, and passed it out to the ones that could not go hunting. He was well known throughout on and off the Nii Mii Poo, that he was a good provider, and to this day you could still hear stories talked about him. This is the story about my grandpa, Bennet Lee Jackson. The End

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Josephine Booth 5th Grade


I am writing about my sister, Izze. My sister has type 1 diabetes. She has taught me to never give up.

When my sister was eight years old her pancreas stopped working and she had to go to the hospital. She had to check her blood sugar by poking her finger and making it bleed so it can be read on a meter. She also had to take a lot of insulin shots. It made me sad because she had to go through a lot. Izze was strong and tough.

My sister shows me that I can do anything. She doesn't let diabetes stop her from playing sports and doing all the things I do.

In the future, I hope for a cure and that I can be strong through my life.

I wrote about my sister because I want people to know that diabetes doesn't have to stop you from doing what you love.

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Grace Brunk 4th Grade


Once upon a time, my mom was pregnant with me. One of my brothers took my big sister in to my brother’s backyard. They had a bull mastiff dog and my sister wanted to see it. She was only 2, when she went in the backyard. Then the dog started to run after her. She started to screem. Then the dog and mauled her and her whole head was in the dog’s mouth. So they rushed her to the emergency room. Her whole eye was puffy and she had to get stitches. Thankfully she didn’t die. My mom didn’t know anything about what happened until my brother called her. If my mom went into that backyard, it would’ve been her.

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Tyler Calabretto 5th Grade


I going to tell you about my grandma Brenda Heitzman, I call her Rara. She has had some struggles lately. Her struggles have taught me to keep going on when you are hurting.

She had surgery on June 6, 2013. Her surgery has caused problems to her nerves. She has not been able to move her feet up and down and side to side and that makes it very hard to walk. Her hands were hurting her and so she could barely move them.

She is teaching me that I need to have a good attitude when I am hurt. She is also teaching me to not quit and keep going on.

In the future I will follow my Rara's example. When I get hurt I will have a good attitude and I will not give up.

This is what my Rara has taught me. She taught very well. I am happy she told me this story of courage.

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Lacie Carroll 4th Grade


My name is Lacie Carroll. My papa, Great Grandpa, is my family hero. He taught me that you could be both strong and gentle. He loved to read poems to me when I was little.

My papa's daddy died when he was just 10 years old like me. He had two older sisters and one younger brother. His life became very difficult because his mama decided he needed to stay home and be the man of the house. She kept him out of school for a whole year. He had to be responsible for his whole family. When World War II happened my papa joined the Navy. He flew an airplane off an aircraft carrier called the Essex. Once one of the boys from his ship crashed into the ocean. My papa went looking for him. The Captain of the ship told him he had to come back but he just kept flying. He did not want to leave that boy in the water. He kept looking until he finally found him. Then, even though he was almost out of fuel he kept flying in circles until someone came to get the boy out of the water. Papa got in big trouble with the Captain but he didn't care because the boy was safe.

My papa teaches me to care about others more than yourself. He spent his whole life after his daddy died taking care of others. That is real love.

In the future, I hope I can learn to love other people so much that I will want to help them in any way I can.

I am glad I got to know my papa. He was a good person full of love and laughter. He made a mark on the world. I hope I can someday give something back to the world like he did.

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Chandler Check 4th Grade

Class Time: WTh, 1:00

I am going to write about my Grandfather and my Great Grandfather and Great Uncle. They all served their country courageously in the military to protect their families.

My Grandpa Michael Check was a medic in Vietnam. And he was an air traffic controller. And once he fell asleep while on the job, and then he woke up and he panicked. He thought someone landed on the pad and crashed into someone else, but no one did and he was glad no one landed. And now my Great Grandpa that was in Okinawa, he was training for months. And he finally got to Okinawa, but the war was over when he got there. So he went back home to Idaho and never went back to the Army again. And now my Great Uncle who fought in Vietnam and one day while he was in a street he stepped on a mine and lost his legs.

What I learned from my grandfathers and uncle is you can never stop fighting for what you love. And that you can never give up on your family. And that you always protect your family with your life. And putting others' needs before my own. And preaching the gospel to all people.

When I grow up I want to be a preacher and a soldier. I want to preach the gospel to others. And I want to protect people who are not saved so they don't go to hell. And so they can go to heaven and have a mansion in heaven and live eternally. Let God guide your life so you can live forever.

I am grateful for all of those who have served our country. It inspires me to also be courageous and do more for my country.

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Angelina Collignon 4th Grade


My brother is a firefighter and he works for the State of Idaho. He is also a member of the Idaho National Guard. He risks his life daily.

My brother was twenty- two when he decided to enlist in the army. My mother was very afraid for his safety. My brother told my mom he wanted to enlist to learn the trade of becoming a firefighter.

Since then my brother has been on countless fires and he is now the first responder on any accident that happens between Boise and Mountain Home. One of his jobs is to drive the firetruck to the accident or fire. He also has to wear up to fifty pounds of equipment. When he does go on a call, he may encounter heavy smoke, flames, and on some cases deceased bodies.

My brother is important to me because he helps people and he's very brave. He has encouraged me that I can do anything if I'm brave and love him so much.

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Allison Comer 5th Grade


My story of courage is about my Grandma Becky Showalter. She is a walking talking miracle.

My Grandma Becky has diabetes. She has had many surgeries on her legs due to this. She told me that one time she went to Boise to have surgery on her artery. On her way home somehow the artery they did surgery on opened up and blood was going everywhere. She was so very scared that she would die. They called the ambulance and they met them and took her to the hospital. She was taken back up to Boise to get it fixed again. She had the courage to pray and to know everything would be ok in the end.

Today my grandma has not had to have any surgeries on her legs for about 4 years. She is very glad about that. She checks with her doctor regularly for any other problems in her legs and every time the doctor tells her she is a miracle for still having her legs.

In the future I have learned to keep my myself healthy so I do not have to go through the same thing my Grandma Becky has gone through. I love her so much.

I have learned to have courage in situations like my Grandma Becky did even if you are scared.

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Joseph Cope 4th Grade


I want to tell you a story about my Great Great Great Grampa John Biggs, he was the first settler in Idaho. He was a brave pioneer.

Brigham Young sent my Great Great Great Grampa Biggs to settle Franklin City .He was the first pioneer to build in the state of Idaho, and Franklin was the first city. He had to deal with the Shoshone Indians. He was very brave, at night the men with him, and he, took turns watching for trouble.

When Dad, Mom, and I go to new states, I feel like a pioneer. Every three months we go to new states. We have to find new stores, and meet new friends. My parents are pipeliners, their job is to lay big pipe under the ground to carry gas to other places. I love to go with them.

In my future I want to go new and far places. I am excited to travel to many new lands I've never seen before.

My Great Great Great Grampa John Biggs was a great, brave pioneer. I want to do something as special as he did.

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Lillian Dean 4th Grade


I am writing about my father, Brian Dean. His life is a story of courage. He said I could grow up to be anything.

He grew up in Florida. He joined the military in April 2003.He was 21 when he joined the military. He has been serving in the military for 11 years.

My dad is 32 and he still serves in the military. He had wanted to be a Combat Controller. He is going to try again to try to get this job. He wants it really bad.

I will be a Combat Controller when I grow up .I want to make my dad proud when I grow up. I want to just like him when I grow up. I am just really inspired be my dad.

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by

Brody Duff 4th Grade


I'm writing about Brad. He is my dad. He is a strong and good man. He saved my life.

A long time ago, I was a little boy. I was in the swimming pool. I slid down into deep water and I don't know how to swim. When my dad saw me, he swam fast as he could. Then he grabbed me and pulled me out of the swimming pool.

I learned about saving people and my dad loves me. I could save my bother Stryder, or help my sister Jojo with swimming.

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Katelyn Eacker 4th Grade


My house fire

Hi my name is Katelyn and I am going to tell you a story about our house fire. This story will tell you about our neighbor who had lots of courage and how I grew from this experience.

It was 5:00 am, march 13, 2009, and barely light enough to see. Suddenly someone was banging on our front door shouting, "Your house is on fire!" our neighbor had been driving past and saw flames on our roof. My mom took my sister and me out the door and put us in our neighbors’ car that was in the driveway. My dad went into the garage with the hose and stared spraying up into the attic where he could see flames. Our neighbor called 911 while my mom grabbed our dog from the house. Our neighbor had been so courageous for stopping and helping get our family out safely.

I have learned from this that it is okay to help people. If there is anyone hurt or in need it is okay for me to be brave and help them.

In the future, I plan to have a lob that allows me to be able to help people in need. I want to always be there to lend a helping hand.

I'm grateful for the story of how my neighbor was courageous enough to stop and help us. It she hadn't we could have lost our house or been hurt very badly.

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by

Rosalee "Rosie" Erlendson 5th Grade


I am going to write about my Grandpa William, but everyone called him "Bill" for short. He is my father's father. He did a lot of courageous things in his life.

My Grandpa Bill was the oldest of 10 children. He lived on a farm in North Dakota he had to ride a mule to school every day five days a week, he had to get there before everyone else because he was in charge of heating the schoolhouse. When he was 15 years old, he faked his age to join the Navy early because he felt the need to serve his country, and serve in WW2.Four years later he got out of the Navy. During the Korean War he was a Merchant Marine and sailed all over the world. Afterwards, he married a woman with 7 children, my grandma, and then he had six more children with her.

He was not afraid to take on responsibility and be an adventurer. He was willing to support and father all of those children and I think that is pretty courageous! My Grandpa Bill taught me to be proud of my country and family and to be proud for being an American.

Even though my grandpa is dead there are many things I want to do like he did. I want to be a good American and serve my country. Not by joining the military, but by being a good citizen. I want to be always be close to my family. As I grow up, I won't be afraid to explore and try new things.

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Suzanna Farris 5th Grade


I'm writing about my sister, Makenna. She taught me to not be afraid and to be brave.

My sister Makenna got her tonsils and adenoids out last summer. Before the surgery she felt terrified but she knew she should do it. She had a really hard time breathing and had a hard time sleeping. But she was brave and after the surgery she was better. Makenna listened to the doctor, rested, took her medicine, and had a great recovery.

I know that when I have a hard trial in my life I should be brave and never be afraid. I should always listen and obey because when I do my life is smoother.

In the future I will strive to do my best and be brave. When others are afraid I will help them not be afraid.

I will always remember Makenna's story of courage when she got her tonsils and adenoids out. I will be brave and not be afraid.

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by

Mariah Ferguson 4th Grade


This is the story of my Grandpa, Frank is his name. This is how he saved his friend’s life and survived.

My grandpa lived in Hanford, California. They were swimming and his friend went really far and he stared choking and my grandpa swam to him and my grandpa started drowning and my grandpa saw heaven but saved his friend.

And now my grandpa is still alive to this day and now my grandpa lives in Clovis, California. And I love my grandpa so much. Whenever I see him I ask him " What dose heven look like ?" he says “It looks beautiful." And that is how my grandpa saved his friend’s life and saw heaven and sill survived it.

My grandpa inspired me to stay strong and if you do not get something right the first time you just keep trying and you do not give up. I hope it did the same for you.

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Michael Fithian 5th Grade


I am writing about my great great grandfather, Johnny Pritchett. I never met him but I have been told many stories about him. I would've liked to have known him.

Johnny grew up in Idaho. His father was born in North Carolina and moved to Idaho. They were poor. There were very few jobs. To feed his family, he had a farm. They grew all their food and raised a cow and chickens.

He was liked by everyone. He had a personality that everyone liked being around. He was a quiet man, but when he had something to say everyone listened. He liked quiet at the dinner table, but if there was too much chatter, he spoke up ! He set the example, that there are times to be quiet, and other times to speak up. He treated everyone with fairness and respect. I hope I can be like him.

He worked hard as a miner. He panned for gold, and worked the family farm.

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Cadence Gilmore 4th Grade


I am writing about when tornado force winds caused me and my family’s power to go out. It was out for three days and it was really cold.

One morning I woke up and the power was out. There were trees and branches everywhere. The whole town’s power was out for three days. We had stayed home for a two days. It was dark and cold at night but we did lots of fun games. The third morning we went to my grandparents because it was just too cold at home.

Our grandparent's place has power but our power is still out. The room I will be sleeping in with my sister is much warmer then at home. It is almost time to go to bed. My mom said to brush my teeth. After I finish brushing my teeth I go to bed. I wake up and looked out the window. Snow! I run into the living room. I get to the living room mom is in the living room she asks me if I saw the snow? I said," yes, yes, yes". I ask if I could go outside. She says no, we did not bring are winter clothes

In the future, I hope when my family and I go home later today, the power is back on and there is light. I will probably finish doing my homework when we get home.

When tornado force winds caused me and my family’s power to go out for three days, it was really cold. We did lots of board games and I had lots of fun with my family.

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Joseph Gocken 5th Grade


My story is going to be about courage. I’ll share with you a time when my family had to use courage.

My family’s courage has been strong for 6 years. One day we went in the banks road and there was a rattle snake. We had to use courage to get through. We also were driving to Utah and our car was dying on us so we had to wait for a long time then it got working.

We used courage to get it done so if you are in trouble use your courage.

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Ethan Gould 4th Grade


I am writing about my dog, Sarah. I am writing about her because she is part of my family and because she saved my life when I was 4. She is the best dog I have ever known.

My mom, 2 sisters, Sarah, and I went on a walk down the street. I was up ahead of everyone and I stopped by a house to wait for them to catch up when a black lab came out of the back yard of the house and started growling and snarling. Then Sarah pulled away from my mom, ran to the black lab, and grabbed it by the throat and was not letting it go. It's owner stepped out of the house and called the dog and the dog ran to the owner whining and crying. My mom had to hold on to Sarah or else she would have got the black lab again. The lab was huge and Sarah was small but very brave.

Sarah is the best and most protective dog ever. I know Sarah loves me and will do anything for me.

As long as she lives she will always protect me and my family. I will always protect her and my family.

I know that my 10 year old boxer/beagle cross is still just as protective yet loving as she was that day.

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Luke Greathouse 5th Grade


Hi my name is Luke. I’m going to be writing about my mom and how she encouraged me on my ISAT.

I was downstairs and my mom said it was time for ISATs. I was not looking forward to it. My mom said I was going to get 100%. I was happy that she believed in me.

We went to the testing and 2 hours later we had my answers to the test! I got a score of 192! I was so happy that I got 192!

That’s the time I had courage from my mom, that I love very much!

Hi my nam

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Logan Greathouse 4th Grade


Hi my name is Logan and this is the time my dog overcame his fear of water.

It started at the dog park, he never got in the little pond.

I took a treat into the water and he carefully stepped into the water.

He loved the water and the treat. That’s the time my dog overcame his fear of water.

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Emma Hinebaugh 4th Grade


I am writing about my mother and her courage with the loss of my brother and sister, Christian and Grace. My mom stayed strong for the rest of us.

My brother and sister had a rare disease and died shortly after birth. I got to watch Grace be born and got to hold her before she died. I really miss Grace. But after two deaths my mom still was a good mom. She comforted us and told us that we would see them again and that they are safe in heaven.

I am proud of my mom for staying strong and still taking care of us even though she was hurting.

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Hannah Holcomb 5th Grade


I am writing about the most courageous person I know. He is my grandpa, Gene Goold. He did not only think of himself, but he thought of others when his boat was sinking. He taught me to be brave and to work hard.

My grandpa and another man were fishing commercially in Alaska for halibut. It was the worst weather of the whole season. The gear that was 350 yards long with 97 hooks got snagged on the bottom. My grandpa's fishing partner threw the line out and it got hooked in the prop. A big wave came over them and swamped the boat. The boat flipped over. It had all the floatation in the bottom of the boat. They were 300 yard from shore and they decided to stay with the boat for 30 minutes until the tide started coming in. They then decided to cut the boat loose and float with it toward the shore and when they got closer they would swim for it. Luckily a warm Japanese current kept the water warm enough to swim in. When they saw a boat, they swam back to their boat. My grandpa got on the belly of the boat and his partner held the boat. The huge waves would knock him of over and over again into the ocean. He was very courageous to get on the boat over and over again. Then the guy fishing saw him and came to their rescue. He said he thought that my grandpa was a seagull on a log or he would have come sooner. My grandpa said he would never forget the name of the boat that rescued them. It was called the Desire. My grandpa said he never desired to see a boat so much in his life.

My grandpa inspires me to always be courageous and to always to be calm when I am scared and to never give up.

I am thankful for my grandpa’s story of courage. I will always think what would my grandpa do and I will never only think of myself when people are in trouble. My grandpa never gave up.

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Noah Humphus 5th Grade


I will be talking about my dad. He had courage. He is in the military.

In 2003 my dad joined the military. He went overseas and got his arm injured. His truck ran over a bomb. He had shoulder surgery.

His arm is injured. I am happy he survived. My dad is courageous to go back out there.

I will always love my dad. I will name one of my kids after him. I will always want him home.

I wrote about my dad because he went on a dangerous mission. I would never be happy if he died. I love him and never want him to die.

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Evan Hurtado 5th Grade


My dad is a great dad. My dad came from Mexico. When he was in Mexico he had very little clothes and he did not have much food. My dad is the best.

My dad in Mexico had to live of the land. Like now we have stores to get food at, he didn’t have stores. My dad had six brothers and sisters. My dad came to America when he was five years old. He lived in California for two years. Then they went back to Mexico.

What my dad eat a lot of was beans and rice. They also eat allot of meat. His mom makes the best meat. I learned from my dad that we have to work hard.

I wrote about my dad because he is very nice and he is very funny that is why I picket my dad.

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Sarah Jarvis 4th Grade


I am writing about my grandfather Arliss Jarvis. His life has been hard, but he has taught me that I can be happy even when things are hard.

My grandpa was adopted by the Jarvis's when he was 8 years old. He had 12 brothers and sisters, until he was adopted and then he had only one brother. He was the only one in his family who was given for adoption. He loves the family who adopted him, but he remembers his brothers and sisters from his first family. He didn't know exactly why he was given for adoption, but he knew his new family bought a house for his old family, who were very poor. He thought maybe he had been kind of sold, so he didn't want to see his old family anymore. He had a hard time in his new family. He dropped out of school and went into the army. He got married and then he decided to go back to school. He went to college and became a teacher. He had four kids by the time he finished school. It was really hard, but he was still happy.

I learned from my grandpa that I can do things even when they are hard, and I can be happy even when I am doing hard things.

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Tanna Jensen 5th Grade


My grandpa is very sick he found that on my birth day. He had surgery and the next week they told him the bad news.

They said that they cut his ureter then he was in the hospital. Then the IV blew up in his arm. Then they cut his fingers off now he is doing better. They just need to fix his ureter then he won’t hurt anymore.

I wanted to help my grandpa and I tried to say, "Can I do a kidney transplant to his body?" However, I can’t.

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Zackery Jensen 4th Grade


When I was younger I had anger problems. I never could control it. My mom took me to the doctor and they put me on lots of medication. I hated being on medication. They said I had Bipolar and other things.

When I would get mad it wasn’t good. I couldn’t control how bad it was. On the medication I couldn’t remember all the fun times with my family. And it still didn’t help my anger and other problems.

My mom started putting me on doTERRA essential oils and they really helped me. I could control my anger and other things. I feel great. Now I have lots of fun with my family. And I can remember the things we do. I’m so thankful my mom found the oils. I’m so happy.

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Nathan "Gage" Jones 5th Grade


My name has a lot of history to it. My Grandfather, Great Uncle and my uncle all have the same first name as me, Nathan. None of us use the name Nathan, we all are called by our family members by our middle name. I want to tell you about my Great Uncle Nathan Nyle Jones.

I hope to have the courage Uncle Nyle had, you see he was a prisoner of war. He joined the army as a young man and right after getting to Korea, he was captured. He was held for 4 years in a camp with many other POW’s. It was a horrible place, but his faith in God helped get him through this terrible time. After he was rescued he came home and helped many other veterans of war right up the his death 3 years before I was born.

His kindness to others after having been in such a terrible time inspires me to try to be the same.

In the future I hope to be as courageous and kind as my Uncle Nyle.

Someday I plan on honoring this special name that I was given by helping others in need of help as much as I can.

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by

Jacob Malony 5th Grade


Once upon a time I had a 5th great grandma.

I’m grateful for my grandma’s story of courage. It inspires me to be better and do what you feel is right.

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Michael Martin 4th Grade


My nana told me a story about my dad when he was young. He was very brave in a scary moment.

My dad was playing with a puppy pull toy at his aunt's house. One of his brothers and a cousin were shooting broad-head arrows straight up in the air. They were real arrows. Even though my dad was far away from them, one of the arrows hit him. It stuck in the back of his right shoulder. He didn't even cry, not one little bit. Nana held him and the arrow for a long time because Papa couldn't find the house. Papa finally got there and took it out. He still has an arrow shaped scar there.

I have learned some lessons from this story. First, always be careful with any weapon. Second, family will always be there for you. Last, my dad was brave and courageous even when he was little.

When I have kids, I will tell them this story. I want them to learn the same lessons I learned. Also, I want them to know how brave and cool my dad, their Poppa, really is.

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Raine Martin 4th Grade


This story is about my Mom, Billie Martin. She saved her sisters life when she was 9 going on 10 her sister was 1 or 2. Here is how it started

My mom’s mom was washing the dishes. My mom’s sister had a life saver and was choking on it. But they were in the living room so my grandma couldn’t hear it. So my mom as quick as she could squeezed Brenda which is my mom’s sister. It saved her life.

So my mom is very brave to me.

This story was about how my Mom Billie Martin, saved her sister Brenda from choking on a light saver. She is a kind woman, She is very concerned that we don’t take big bites when we eat, or make any jokes when someone’s eating or they will choke.

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Zachary Martindale 4th Grade


I got bit by a dog but I still like dogs so if you have a dog, don’t hate him or her. They’re nice and kind animals the reason they fight is because we are not treating them right. So love your dog be kind to it and it will be kind to you too. I love my dogs I have three dogs it hard I still scared of them but it’s better to have more than none.

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Tailee Maynard 5th Grade


My great Uncle Rudalf was a brave American soldier.

When he and the soldiers went a death walk which is a thousand miles of walking without eating and drinking. While doing the death walk they were torturing each other and telling them to give it to them. When they made it to the end all of the soldiers died, but Rudalf and one soldier survived the death walk.

I think he was a brave soldier and he was not afraid.

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Kate Mercer 4th Grade


I am going to write about an accident that happened to my father when he was in high school. This turn of events made it possible for my existence

When my father was a senior in high school in 1953 he was shot in the right hip by one of his friends during a hunting trip. He was shot at close range the bullet hit a main artery. By the time my father arrived at the hospital he was announced dead. The doctor did not give up. The doctor cut my father’s left ankle open and put blood directly into the artery. My father perked up and was actually alive. My father was in a coma for three months. When my father woke up the doctor told my father he was lucky to be alive but he was probably going to lose his leg. His hip bone was crushed. He would never again play the sports he loved He would not be able to join the paratroopers. My father’s plans for his life would never happen. Everyone expected my father to be depressed. But my father said "ok, if I can’t do what I want to do I guess I will go to college and learn to do what I can do." My father found that he did like school for the first time in his life. He became a lawyer, a historian and a philosopher

From his courage of changing his life story I have learned that if something bad happens you can use it as an opportunity to change your plans We can heal from big injuries. My father had a strong intent to heal and keep his leg. He has his leg still. He does limp but he can walk. If he did not live his new life story he would not have met my mom and i would not have been born

His story has showed me that by trusting ourselves we can heal, we can change our minds and we can create a beautiful life

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Kathrynann Minga 3rd Grade


My dad saved my sister in the water and She shouldn’t have done that.

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Domick--Ashton Morris 4th Grade


My story is about my grandfather, Kurt. He learned a good lesson in courage when he was about ten.

He went to play with his friend, Duane, who lived 3 miles away through the woods. While playing, he got hot, so he took his coat off and left it on a tree. He then forgot to get it when he went home. After he got home his dad asked where his coat was. His dad told him that he had to go and get his coat in the dark with no flashlight. he was really scared, but after that day, he was never afraid of the dark again.

What I have learned from my Papa's story is there is nothing to be afraid of in the dark, and also to never leave my coat on a tree.

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Patrick "Brooks" Murphy 5th Grade


Courage

This story is from my grandma, and it is all about me!

One day, Grandma was going to watch Grandpa and I fly RC airplanes. She was a little worried for the safety of everyone because I was only 7 years old and was just learning to fly. She did not know that I was a natural pilot. But grandpa knew I was. Grandma thought we would be missing fingers or eyes from a wayward take off. Grandma held her breath until the flight was over and the plane landed softly on the runway. She never lost control of her patience. She thought that Grandpa and I were very courageous too.

Courage is a wonderful thing. It is the ability to have faith in your own strengths.

In the future, I will be a better pilot knowing that my family believes in me.

My grandma’s story of courage helps me because it will give me faith to be a better pilot.

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Cameron Murphy 4th Grade


I’m writing about my dad. He is a brave man. I'm am writing about him because he could have got really injured by the mean guard dog.

One day my dad lost his disc golf disc. He was brave he had to hop over the fence. There was a mean guard dog. He hoped over the fence he came home with deep scratches. It was from the fence.

I learned that it is important to be careful. I also learned that it is best to find someone to open the gate for you. I learned it is best to not clime fences.

In my future I will ask people to help me. I'm not going to clime fences. in the future i will be care full.

I'm writing about my brave dad. His name is Chad Murphy. I learned an important lesson from my dad.

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Tucker Nick 5th Grade


I am writing about my grandma and grandpa. When they were young they became foster parents. They were foster parents for 34 years.

My grandparents were youth leaders at the Brethren Church. Their first girl was part of their group. She lived with her mom and her step-dad. Her step-dad was very abusive. She called my grandma because she was going to run away. Her step-dad had beaten her with a cowboy boot. My grandma picked her up and took her to Health and Welfare. They took her in as a foster daughter. They continued doing foster care for 34 years for girls, mostly very disturbed girls.

Without my grandparents doing foster care I would probably not be here. My grandparents were the foster parents for my mother’s birth mom. They adopted my mom when she was less than a year old when her birth mom was sent to jail.

In the future I would like to work with kids that have problems like my grandparents did.

I wrote about my grandma and grandpa because of their courage in taking in foster kids.

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Logan Omanson 4th Grade


I am writing about the time I had to stand up to a friend who was using bad words.

I was outside at my school minding my own business, walking to the slide. Another boy came over to me and started saying bad words, swearing and using words that my mom calls potty talk.

I told him it was not nice to say those bad words. He glared at me and then walked away. It was scary to do that, to say something to a friend about the words he was using but I just did it anyway. The boy didn't come around me after that.

I learned that if someone is saying something that isn't good, I can ask the person to not say those words around me. I can have the courage to stand up for what I believe.

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Richard Piersol 4th Grade


I am writing about my grandpa, Darrell Piersol. He taught me how important family is, and to work hard.

Grandpa grew up on a farm where he had to work very hard at a very young age he had to feed animals, and help grow hay. He didn't get along with his dad very much. He went in to the army after high school. His mom and dad got sick, so the army let him go home to take care of them.

I’m learning what my grandpa taught my dad when he was a growing up.

Grandpa is gone now, but I hope i can keep the farm in the family.

My Grandpa Darrell was a great man. He inspired me to work as hard as I can, and family is important.

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Anastasia Pinkerton 4th Grade


Past

My grandpa went to war.

Present

He got done in the military and he got married to my grandma they had 2 kids Lara and Jay. Jay is my dad he is very smart. His life was hard. His dad drank and his mom and dad got divorced and his dad got married to someone else and had 2 girls, Tammie and Dainial. My dad lived with his mom, and soon my grandpa died from drinking. I went to see him with my dad. I got there we gave him a hug and then when I went to the bathroom I saw him dead. I believe he is in heaven because he loved the Lord. My grandpa is very courageous.

Future

I think I will be courageous.

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Hunter Rackham 4th Grade


I am writing about my Great Grandfather, Eugene Rackham. His life is a story of courage. He taught me to work hard and respect your family.

My Great Grandfather grew up an orphan. His parents never loved him to take care of him. He ran away several times from the orphanage. He never was treated well throughout his life but you never would have known that by the way he everyone he loved. He was married at an early age then joined the Army and went to Japan to cook in the war. He worked hard all his life to ensure his family a good life he never was able to have himself.

My Great Grandfather inspired me to work hard and achieve all my dreams. He always said that if I work hard I can achieve anything.

In the future, I will do all the outdoor activities and respect my family like he always had taught me.

I'm grateful to be able to have known him for a time so he could teach me about his life and to work hard to achieve my dreams.

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Family Story of Courage by

Lydia Ripplinger 4th Grade


I am going to tell you a story about my Grandmother Gean. She had back surgery last year, and I was impressed with how she handled it.

Last summer, my Grandma had horrible pain in her back. She decided to have back surgery. She went to Blackfoot for her surgery. She was in the hospital for a couple of days. It took her a long time to recover. She lives around the corner from me. I went and visited her a lot. She showed me that she was strong and courageous because she had hope that things would work out. She always had time for my visits.

Grandma Gene gets up every morning and enjoys her days. She shows me that recovery may not be easy or fun, but you have to get up. Life still happens. She even did the drill and the Cavalcade the other night.

When I grow up, I will show courage like my Grandma by not letting things get me down. I want to be strong and willing to get up every morning and do my best.

Grandma Gene has been courageous through the tough times. I want to be like my Grandma.

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Brendon Rogers 4th Grade


I used to be afraid of touching a fish. I thought that I twould bite me. But when I gaught a couple, I had to resist before it did!

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Caden Roylance 4th Grade


I am writing about my great-grandad. He likes to talk about his life and what he did. All of his stories teach something. I like to hear about his life.

My great-grandad served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was on the battleship named the USS Douglas. Their mission was to protect the US troops that were on the ground and pick up any boats in the water. His ship fired on the coastline of North Korea. They shot at the enemy to protect the US troops. They also picked up several fishing boats. Some of the fisherman were trying to get away from the war. His ship got shot at and had lots of bullet holes but nobody got hurt.

My great-grandad still talks about his life in the war. He doesn't like to eat rice anymore because they ate so much during the war. I learned that you can serve your country to protect it. You also have to listen and follow directions so you can stay safe.

In the future, I will always follow directions because I know they are set up to protect me. I don't think I want to serve in the military when I grow up because I don't want to be shot at.

I am happy to listen to my great-grandad’s stories because they always teach me something.

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Ethan Ruby 4th Grade


I am writing about my grandpa Blake. I am not sure if he served in the military. My grandpa has taught me about airplanes.

My Grandpa grew up in a small farm with horses, chickens, pigs, and cows. He milked the cows, feeding the chickens getting the eggs from the chickens, and feeding the pigs. And feeding the horses. It was hard on him and his parents.

On a farm comes many responsibilities. Like feeding the animals, get up early in the morning. Planting crops in the fields and going to school. And helping out if your gandfather is sick and help raise a lot of money to keep the farm from being taken from you.

If I work hard I can achieve my goals. My grandpa taught me if I set my heart on something. That I will work or earned for it nothing can get me no matter what I will get it.

This story is about my grandpa Blake. He is a very nice man; he does stuff with me like building toy planes or swimming with me. And he lives in Idaho Falls, I miss him but visits once in a while to me and my three sisters.

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Abigale Saxton 4th Grade


I am writing about my great grandpa and his time in the Marines. His story is very courageous. He still tells me story about that time today.

My great grandpa was in the Marines. He fought in two wars, ww2 and the Korean war. He left home when he was 14 to join. He lied about his age to get in so he would not have to go back home. After he learned to be a marine and went to the war, he had a group of men under his command. He also had become a sniper. He was put in very dangerous situations, and saw many of his friends and fellow fighters die. His life was hard but as he grew up he became a man who took nothing from no one and did everything for himself and his family on his own.

My great grandpa teaches me to work for the things I want and should not count on anyone else to do it for me.

In the future I would like to have and show the courage and strength my great grandpa possesses. To be able to put to use the things I have learned from him, and to be able to achieve my dreams.

I love to listen to the stories he tell of his past times in the Marines, and see all his patches and medals he has received and earned in those times. Makes me believe I can too one day be as strong as him, and be able to tell those stories to my kids one day.

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Glen Scott 5th Grade


My great grandpa, John Scott walked across France and Germany with a backpack on his back and a rifle in World War 1.

He met his wife when he was in the army, she lived in Minnesota and he lived in Nebraska. He was complaining to his buddy that he didn't have anyone to write to and he buddy said "why don't you write to my niece".

After the war he went to Minnesota and met Ethel Baker in person. They moved to Nebraska and raised four boys and a girl.

He was a cowboy and a really hard worker.

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Tanner Stotts 4th Grade


My story of courage is going to be about the time I got stung by a bee.

When I was about 3 years old, I was in my garage. A bee got stuck in my shirt and stung me twice on my back.

I am not scared of bees now since I was stung. I realized that they only sting you if you annoy them so I don't mess around them.

So since I know bees are very important to the environment. I might one day become a bee keeper.

I now know that bees are here to do more good than bad.

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Genevieve Townsend 5th Grade


MY family story of courage is about my mom. She went through a lot to have me. She did it because she loved me. She loved me so much that she almost died for me.

In 2003, on August 28, my mom was in labor with me. My mom's last baby got stuck in her tube and died. When she was pregnant with me they said not to be too happy, because they could not get a microscopic drop of water through the tube. They didn't expect my egg to get through. My mom was barfing, and she was sick when she was having me .Impressively, my egg did get through! Mom was stuck in bed for six months. When I was born my lungs were not fully formed. My mom was crying, because I had to stay in the hospital for two weeks. My mom got to see me in the hospital every now and then. She was not sick any more by then. When I got to go home my sister, Tabitha, was so happy to see me. She even nicknamed me ''Tiny". When she was little she called me her baby.

I learned that my mom is brave. I am lucky to be alive .If you love somebody you will go through anything for them. I will cherish this story, and share it with my kids...if I have any. THE END

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Anette Vogt 4th Grade


Today, I would like to tell you the story of my Grandpa Murray and the Thanksgiving squirrel. He ate the squirrel because that was the only food he had to eat.

A long time ago my grandpa Murray was in a cabin in the woods. He had no money or food so he went hunting. He looked and looked for something to eat. Then he found a wild squirrel and shot it. It was Thanksgiving Day so he fried the squirrel in a pan. He only knew how to fry food, so that's why he fried the squirrel. Then he ate the wild squirrel for dinner.

I learned that it is hard to hunt for your own food. I learned that I should learn to cook so I don't have to only fry food.

In the future, when I am older I will invite people that might be alone over for Thanksgiving dinner.

Grandpa Murray's story is about his first Thanksgiving away from home. I wrote his story because I think it is important to my family to remember that sad Thanksgiving.

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Spencer Waddell 4th Grade


When I was little I was afraid of horses. When we moved on our farm I was nervous. I was afraid of the horses would bite my hand. It scared me a lot every time I go to get the horses carrots. I was always scared because I use to think that they would bite my hair or my hand.

My family helped me not be scared of horses. They would tell me that they wouldn't hurt be and taught me that horses are very kind. We would go outside and they would help me give carrots to the horses. They showed me over and over.

After a while I was not scared. After a while with the horses did all better. Now I am not at all scared of horses! They helped me a lot to have fun. I love horses!

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Nicholas Walkley 5th Grade


I am going to write about my impala 1959 Chevy. It’s gone through some things, I’ll begin in 1965.

It all began with my grandma's Graduation. Her dad bought it for her. It has gone everywhere in Washington. She has been in compact storage for 40 years in a barn on my grandpa’s land near Steptoe, Washington.

I know it was queen of the road in 1965 because my grandma told me. They were worth a lot of money in 1965. Now you can't find parts of them anywhere, except in a junk yard down in town Prosser.

She came into Prosser on the trailer from the house in Idaho. It was a rugged ride but fun to see my parents complain about being sick on the ride. She was in good condition a while ago.

This is my composition about my Impala in Prosser Washington, I have learned that Impalas are old and need a lot of work and money to be fixed up right and tight. I am thankful that my great grampa saved it and let me refurbish it.

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Connor Weaver 5th Grade


My story is about my dad Devin Weaver and his open-heart surgery. I remember it more than my mom's cancer. And this is why I'm telling my dad's story of courage because it would have taken a lot of courage go through a quadruple-bypass. It all started last summer, and my dad was feeling pains in his chest. So we went in to the doctor, and he told my dad that he had one or more heart attacks. He was told to go to the hospital and get a stent, but instead got a quadruple-bypass. My dad is doing much better now and is working full-time. He always works 10 hrs. on every shift. He works at Sage Junction and Linden Elevator. I hope that when I grow up I will make better choices concerning my health, family, and job. I love my family, and hope the best for them. I want a family with every possible success for my children. My dad's story of courage inspired me to be more active on a daily basis. He told me to be more thriving to learn. And I hope you have been inspired by this too.

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Mark Whitaker 5th Grade


My ancestor Pocahontas, when she was 12 she snuck in to Jamestown and did cartwheels and saved John smith 2 times. The 1st time is when her tribe tried to kill him, then Pocahontas put her head on his and her dad let him live. The 2nd time when she saved John Smith is when he was walking in the woods she told him that there was a trap from another tribe.

a family story of courage class book

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