Most nine year olds who just won a national contest would probably spend their winnings on electronics, games and clothes but not Summerville resident and Pinewood Prep third grader, Katie Stagliano, She garnered top ten honors in the Nestle Flavorologist for a Day contest and used the reward to help her school.

The contest sponsored by Nestle seeks out ambitious young inventors to come up with the most original and appetite-engaging frozen treat ideas. Participants must not only come up with an interesting creation but also be able to provide a description of the ingredients, and a short explanation as to why they would like to be a 'flavorologist'.

After receiving an email about the contest, Katie's mother shared the idea with her. The two brainstormed recipes while on a family vacation, coming up with multiple entries such as Citrus Sun Pop, Dirt Pop and the prize-winning Criss-Cross Applesauce, which as described by Katie is a new way to enjoy applesauce -- a green pop that looks like an apple wedge with red streaks of spicy cinnamon and a cinnamon candy center.  

After making the semi-finals, Criss-Cross Applesauce became one of the top ten flavors out of over 8,000 created by children across the United States. As a reward, Katie received a cash prize that will be invested towards her college tuition, and gift cards to Target, Amazon.com and Toys R' Us and two years worth of free ice cream.

While seemingly most children her age would be anxiously raiding and clearing the shelves of the local stores with gift cards in hand, Katie proposed a slightly different idea.   

She wrote a letter to Pinewood's headmaster, Dr. Glynn Cowlishaw, asking for his feedback on a way in which she could give back to the school.

 "I thought it would be nice to do something for my school with my prizes" said Katie, "I told my mom I wanted to give back to Pinewood because I like it there so much."

After consideration by the headmaster and his administrative team, it was determined that Katie's gift to her school would be the purchase of books for the school's library but this was no small task.

Katie carefully selected and purchased books from the Animal Ark series; a collection centered on a young girl's adventurous life spent rescuing animals in danger, along with works topping the list of those which received 2006-2007 South Carolina Book Award nominations.

The day the books arrived was very exciting for Katie.  Her entire third grade class and her teacher, Karen Every-Andrews, joined Katie in the Pinewood Prep Library.  As her parents proudly looked on, Katie presented one by one her additions to the book collection to school librarian Paula Hewitt and shared the new books with her classmates afterward.  The class agreed that one of Katie's selections titled, "When Ratboy Lived Next Door" would be their next read aloud class book.

"I am very touched by Katie sharing her winnings with our library. Her book donations will be enjoyed by all of her Pinewood friends!" commented Hewitt.

In addition to her gift to the school, Katie's winnings included an ice cream party for her entire school, which she will be hosting for her fellow students at Pinewood in the spring during their Brainwave event.

Was it worth parting with her winnings?  Katie says absolutely.  When she sees students on campus carrying around her books that they have checked out of the library that is what makes it all worthwhile.



Evans is a 11th grade student at Pinewood Prep in Summerville.