Cathleen McKernan, a seventh grader at J.C. Booth Middle

School in Peachtree City, never considered herself a gifted writer, but

her winning essay on her favorite teacher, Harriette Murray,

proved otherwise. She and Murray, a sixth grade science, reading and

English teacher at Booth, both hit the jackpot when McKernan's

150-word paper won each of them a new Gateway Desktop

Personal Computer.

"Mrs. Murray loved animals and she always made me

laugh," McKernan wrote. "Mrs. Murray would always teach us our

lessons clearly. Instead of just doing book assignments, she would go out

of her way to make her classes challenging and fun.

"To help us remember the important ideas of the chapter,

she told us interesting facts to go with the lesson. She would also

use many live animals in her classroom as examples for a lesson."

McKernan's heartfelt entry started out as just another

assignment in Natalie Field's seventh grade language arts class. "It

was not required, but we could earn 100 bonus points,"

McKernan said. Fields forwarded her students' best papers to

Hellmann's, co-sponsors of the contest. McKernan was informed at

school of her win and she immediately sought out Murray to tell her.

Both teacher and student have received their computers.

"We are honoring Mrs. Murray for being an outstanding

teacher who makes learning interesting and challenging and for

bringing out the best in her students," said Bill Darley, Hellmann's

product manager. "We are recognizing Cathy for writing an excellent

essay."

McKernan is a 12-year-old girl with an interest in just about

everything, noted Murray. She and Murray share a common

interest in animals and a mutual admiration for each other. "Cathy

blushes so perfectly," Murray said, as she discussed her winning entry.

McKernan has already set high goals for herself and wants to

join the Coast Guard as a pilot when she finishes her education.

Her father, Mike, is a former Coast Guard pilot.

McKernan and her mother, Karen, traveled with Murray

and members of the Booth science club last spring to "Sea Camp" at

Big Pine Key. "We both like to travel," Murray said.

McKernan is an "A" student and plays the French horn in

band. She excels in sports and especially enjoys basketball, soccer,

softball and tennis.

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