Butler Co. Retired Teachers honor Daugherty and Phelps

Tue, 03/15/2016 - 10:44am — Diane Dyer

Ruth Penner, Delaney Daugherty, and Fred Tate.

A North Butler Elementary School student was selected Butler County Winner in the “2015-2016 Grandparent of the Year” essay contest sponsored by AARP Kentucky and the Kentucky Retired Teachers’ Association (KRTA).
Delaney Daugherty, daughter of Ryan and Darla Daugherty of Morgantown, is among thousands of Kentucky fifth graders who participated in the 15th Annual Essay competition for 2015-2016. Students submitted essays answering why “My Grandparent should be the AARP Kentucky Grandparent of the Year” to their 5th grade teachers who selected the school’s winner. Each participating school winner and school received recognition certificates.
Delaney and grandparent Ruth Penner were recognized on Monday at the Butler County Retired Teachers’ Association luncheon. Delaney read her winning essay and was presented with a certificate and gift by BCRTA President, Fred Tate. CLICK HERE TO READ HER ESSAY D. Daugherty's grandma letter.pdf
As county winner, Delaney receives a framed certificate for their efforts and the essay will be submitted for district completion. She and other district winners then become eligible to participate in the state finals. In a recognition ceremony the “Grandparent of the Year” and student are honored at the Annual KRTA Convention in Louisville on April 19,2016. The state winner also receives a $100 award. The essay completion is a unique way to recognize the significant contributions that older Kentuckians make toward shaping the lives and values of youth across the Commonwealth. Across the country and in Kentucky, an increasing number of adults 50 and over are the primary caregivers to minor children. The 2010 Census data showed nearly 87,000 grandchildren in Kentucky live with grandparents who are the householders. Almost 48,000 of these children live in homes where the grandparent householder is responsible for them.
Locally, the “AARP Grandparent of the Year” essay contest is organized by the Butler County Retired Teachers’ Association, who help secure local school participation, promote the activity and serve as local contest judges.

Morgantown Elementary School student Layton Phelps was also recognized at the luncheon. Layton, son of Racheal and Brian Phelps of Morgantown, is the County Wide Spelling Bee Champion. Layton participated at the state level and made it into the second round of competition.