📰BIDDEFORD | A Tradition of Heart and Service: Rotary Essay Contest Celebrates the Meaning of Family

By Karen Garnett, Biddeford School Department, Contributing Writer

May 15, 2026, For 31 years, the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club has encouraged local students to reflect on one of life’s most meaningful topics through its annual eighth-grade essay contest. Each year, the contest invites students from Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach schools to explore the theme, “What the Word Family Means to Me,” which focuses on the students’ views of the importance of family life, their understanding, and appreciation of differences that exist in other families.

Originally established during the 1995–1996 Rotary year, when Rotary International recognized “The Year of the Family,” the contest was created by Rotarians Gil Domingue and Ron Gagnon to give local youth an opportunity to share their perspectives on the importance of family, while recognizing and appreciating the differences that exist among families. More than three decades later, the tradition continues to inspire thoughtful reflection, heartfelt storytelling, and meaningful community connection.

On May 14, 2026, the top three winners from each participating school gathered before an audience of Rotarians, family members, and school representatives to be recognized, and the first-place winners read their essays aloud during the assembly. Essays were selected by faculty members at each school based on relevance to the topic, quality of composition, creativity, and grammatical and spelling accuracy.

Each first-place student was awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a $100 prize, and a $100 donation to a charity of their choice. The first-place winners included: Layla McDonough, Biddeford High School; Julia Collins, Thornton Academy Middle School, Saco; Natalie Garrity, Saco Middle School; Harper Keenan, Loranger Memorial School, Old Orchard Beach; and Mia Millikin, St. James School, Biddeford.

Second and third place winners were also recognized and awarded prizes of $75 and $50 respectively, along with donations to the charity of choice: Leila Zombo and Cooper Crockett - Biddeford High School; Kahlil Lee and Tessa Purvis - Thornton Academy Middle School, Saco; Branden Desormiers and Aman Salam - Saco Middle School; Oscar Stanton and Kyran Maynor - Loranger Memorial School, Old Orchard Beach; and Harper Elson and Benjamin Dube - St. James School, Biddeford.

“This essay contest has become one of the most meaningful traditions within our Rotary Club because it reflects the very heart of Rotary and our motto of ‘Service Above Self,’” said Haley Thompson, president of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club. “Each year, students share thoughtful and deeply personal reflections about the people who support, guide, and shape their lives. We are especially proud that this program not only celebrates student voice and writing, but also encourages giving back through charitable donations made in each student’s honor.”

Throughout the evening, Rotarians introduced students from participating schools, while families and educators proudly listened as students shared essays that ranged from heartfelt and emotional to humorous and inspiring.

President Thompson expressed gratitude to participating schools, teachers, families, and the Rotary essay contest committee for continuing to support a program that has become a cherished community tradition for more than three decades. “While family structures and experiences may differ, the essays consistently reflected universal themes of love, resilience, gratitude, and support,” said Thompson.

The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club is pleased to be part of community involvement. If you would like more information on how to become involved with Rotary, please visit their website at www.biddeford-sacorotary.org.