We are pleased to announce the winners of the First Niagara Essay Contest for fifth graders. Winners are joining First Niagara officials to ring the NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell in New York City on April 14, 2008 as part of our celebration of our 10th anniversary as a public company listed on the NASDAQ (view pictures from the NASDAQ opening on April 14, 2008).

And the winners are…..

Region 1 - Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Chautauqua, and Genesee Counties

Bradley Schneider
Lockport, NY

Bradley Schneider, 10, goes to George Southard Elementary in Niagara County. His essay was about a gas station where people could donate items to reduce the price they pay for gas. Bradley, who one day hopes to be a major league baseball player, has two brothers and one sister. He loves to play sports outside and his favorite subject in school is science. One day would like to meet President George Bush and he is very excited about seeing New York City for the first time.

Click here to read Brad's essay.

If I could start a business, I would open up a gas station. At other gas stations, the price of a gallon of gas keeps on going up and people don’t have enough money to continue buying gas.

At my gas station, people have the option of buying gas at full price or, if they choose, they could donate items to reduce the price of gas. People could donate many things such as electronics or used video games. They could also donate clothing, toys and many other items. The gas station would also sell food. People could grow food in their garden and we could sell it. We would also sell snacks and beverages.

When people buy items from the store, they would be able to enter a raffle. Once a month, we would draw a name. That person would win one free tank of gas.

With the reduced price of gasoline and the low price of the items that have been donated, people would realize that they’re saving money. The more people who shop there, the better business it will be. I’m sure this will help people in our community a lot.

Region 2 - Monroe County

Brooke Testa
Rochester, N.Y.

Brooke Testa, 11, attends West Ridge Elementary School in Monroe County. In her essay, she wrote that she hopes to create a year-round sports facility for people with disabilities to bring children with disabilities and the community together. The middle of three children, she loves playing soccer and enjoys math class. She would want to meet Ashley Tisdale. When she grows up, Brooke hopes to become a Pharmacist.

Click here to read Brooke's essay.

Hi, my name is Brooke and during my life, I have seen children with disabilities who cannot participate in sports in the same way as children without these challenges. Although it is important that everyone get plenty of daily exercise, this group seems to be left out. That is why the business I would choose to open that would help people in my community the most is a year-round sports facility for people with disabilities.

At this facility, the athletes would have the opportunity to learn many different sports. One day they would learn how to dribble a soccer ball and a basketball. Another day, they would learn shooting. Volleyball, floor hockey and lacrosse would also be learned. These lessons would be geared toward the athletes and their abilities.

I think this business would help the community by bringing businesses as sponsors, adults and children of all abilities together. All would work together for common goals which are to learn athletic skills, sportsmanship and teamwork.

Last year, my girl’s under-eleven soccer team volunteered at a Special Olympics event. I have never seen so many happy faces in one place, not only from the athletes, but from the volunteers, parents and spectators. It is a day I will never forget.

I believe that this business would greatly benefit my community. Bringing children with disabilities and the community together through this sports facility would no longer be a special event; it would be an equal opportunity for all.

Region 3 - Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Oneida, Onondaga, and Ontario Counties

Griffin Lenkiewicz
Baldwinsville, NY

Griffin Lenkiewicz, 10, goes to Palmer Elementary in Onondaga County. His essay was about Granny Gophers, a business that helps Senior Citizens by running errands for older people and helping them drive to appointments. Griffin has one brother and two miniature dachshunds, Mel and CoCo. He would love to meet Derek Jeter and enjoys both math and gym at school. When he grows up he would like to be a professional basketball player.

Click here to read Griffin's essay.

I would like to start a business in my community called Granny Gophers. My grandmother is 85 years and my grandfather is 88. My grandmother never learned to drive a car and my grandfather has Alzheimer, so he can’t drive anymore. They live by themselves and it is very hard for them to get places. My mom and dad both work and take care of my brother and me. They also have to find time to take my grandparents grocery shopping, to doctor appointments and other errands.

I think it would be great to have a business in our community that helped older people live independently. There are a lot of people like my family that need help. I would start a business that had people who could run errands for older people and help drive them to their appointments. This way grandparents wouldn’t have to feel bad for always having to ask for help. Older people could stay in their own house longer too, if they had a business that could come in and help them. I think most people would rather stay in their own homes than go to a nursing home.

That is why I think a business that helped older people live more independently would be a great.

Region 4 - Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Warren Counties

Lauren Juliana Litz
Niskayuna, NY

Lauren Juliana Litz, 11, attends Hillside Elementary School in Schenectady County. Her essay was about People Helping Other People Save the Environment (PHOPSE) which would help the environment, victims of house fires and theft, and “people who just look like they need help.” Using the Web, PHOPSE would help provide people with clothes, toys and other items. Lauren has twin sisters and likes to read, dance and play softball. Her favorite subjects in school are math and reading. She would love to meet New York Governor Paterson, if she had the chance. Although she is not sure what she wants to do when she grows up, she knows that it will be a job where she can help people.

Click here to read Lauren's essay.

As a fifth grader, I often wish I could find a way to make a difference. I watch the news of people losing their homes to fires, burglars, or people who just look like they need help. Then I look around my own house and see how much stuff we have, but really don’t need. One trip to my mother’s “craft” room would explain everything. I thought, I could open my own business to help other people.

Using my computer and my own website, I could solve both problems and make everyone happy. Let me explain how I think this could work.

Let us take Sue for example. Sue has just lost her home in a terrible fire, and she needs everything. So she goes on my website (she heard about it from a friend) and she e-mails me with her problem. I read her e-mail and post it on my website and wait for someone to read it and respond with help.

A response comes. It is someone like my mom who goes into their “craft” room or dark places where items end up when they have done their job (or not at all). They have found everything from unopened packages of underwear (known to be lurking in the “craft” room), to indestructible Little Tykes toys.

Information is exchanged through me on the website and both sides triumph. With nothing going to the landfill, it is a win-win situation for everyone.

I haven’t quite figured out how I could make this profitable without charging someone, but I am sure I can work something out. It shouldn’t be all about the money, since it comes from the love of helping people. That’s why I would name my business PHOPSE, which would stand for People Helping Other People Save the Environment.

IMAGES AND INFORMATION FOR THE NEWS MEDIA:
• Click here for photos and video of the April 14 market opening.
• Click here for the NASDAQ MarketSite Fact Sheet.
• Click Here for First Niagara's April 14 news release summarizing the event.

Please click here to view the contest rules.

Please click here to view the commercial about the contest.