Casey Kline (center), a fifth grader at Bennett’s Valley Elementary, was one of the nationwide winners in the Weekly Reader essay contest “Eyewitness to History.” Her essay was about her mother’s experience living through the 1991 volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. She is shown with her mother, Cora Kline and sister, Patrica.

By Amy Cherry
Daily Press Staff

    After reading an article in Weekly Reader magazine, Casey Kline, a fifth grade student at Bennett’s Valley Elementary School in Weedville, thought it would be fun to enter the “Eyewitness to History” essay contest. Little did she know her time and effort would pay off, as she was chosen as one of a few nationwide winners in the contest. 

one of a few nationwide winners in the contest.

    Casey, 10, was informed in March that her essay was chosen among thousands of entries.

    “I was a bit surprised and very happy when I found out,” Casey said.

    Casey’s essay “Escaping Mount Pinatubo” focused on her mother, Cora Kline’s, experience during the 1991 eruption of the volcano in Luzon, Philippines.

    “At first I thought to do my great-grandmother, Loretta Kline, who lived through the great depression,” Casey said. “My dad thought it was a better idea to interview my mom instead.”

    Casey explained that she compiled the 400-600 word essay piece by piece. After creating a list of questions and

interviewing her mom, Casey enlisted the help of her dad, Ted Kline, to edit the document.

    “With all the work I was putting into it I started to think I didn’t want to enter the contest,” Casey added.

    As a student in Mrs. Michuck’s class, Casey recalled that she was the only student in her class that entered the contest. Her winning entry earned her $100 and was published in the May 2 Senior Edition of the magazine. Casey said she plans on saving her winnings.

    In her essay Casey detailed her mom’s experience during the June 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption. At the time Cora was

engaged to Ted, a U.S. Marine stationed in Hawaii. The couple resided on the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay. Though Cora grew up in the Philippines, she said the volcano had remained dormant for 100 years before the eruption.

    Cora explained that the eruption began with powerful earthquakes. The volcano then began spitting thick ashes into the air. Throughout the night there was thunder and lighting along with volcanic tremors which shook her apartment, which she took shelter in along with her sister.

    “I was very, very scared. When it turned dark at noon, I thought it was going to be the end of the world,” Cora said. “We didn’t see the sun until 6 a.m. the next day.”

    Cora added that she never evacuated because Subic Bay was situated 20 miles away from the volcano.

    “The next day I saw devastation and collapsed buildings from the thick ash on the roofs. Many people were injured,” Cora said. “There was no electricity or running water.”

    Casey’s love of reading is evident as she is an avid participant in her school’s accelerated reading program. In the past year she has read the 13-book “Series of Unfortunate Events” in a three month period.

    Casey is also working on writing a book entitled “Kidtopia,” about a magical world. She hopes to work on the book over the summer.

    “She has a great imagination,” Cora said.

    In addition to her Weekly Reader achievement, Casey recently won first place and a $10 prize in an essay contest sponsored by the local American Legion.

    The Kline’s returned to Elk County one year ago. Casey and her sister Patricia, a fourth grader at Bennett’s Valley Elementary, are both part of the school district’s enrichment program. Ted served in the military for 20 years and is now a retired Major in the U.S. Marine Corp.