By Karen Rice
Official Kids Mag
Our Kid Hero this month is 9-year-old
Gunner D., who lives in the Harrison/
Omaha area, where he enjoys all that life in
the Ozarks has to offer. In March, Gunner
received the Jerry McFarland Outstanding
Youth Award from the Harrison Chamber
of Commerce. This award is given to a
student who shows outstanding initiative and
motivation and is an inspiration to other kids.
What did Gunner do to win this award?
Gunner has always been known at his
school for being an advanced reader, a
creative artist and a storyteller. He was
reading books at 3 years old and by the time
he entered kindergarten, he was reading
chapter books and testing way above his grade
level.
In 2019, when Gunner was 5 years old,
his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Staci Tucker,
suggested that he enter a statewide book
writing contest.
Gunner wrote and illustrated his first book,
called "Ninja Puppy," which won first place in
the Arkansas PBS Kids Writers Contest. His
book was inspired by his love for ninjas and his
Creativity
ninja
Young author
spreads messages
of kindness and
belonging
26 • JULY 2023 • www.Of f icialKidsMag.com
