Joseph Esposito, a second-grader at John Quincy Adams, was one of four winners of the Long Island Ducks’ “Take a Duck to Class” essay contest sponsored by TD Bank.

As part of his prize, Esposito’s school was paid an hour-long Jan. 13 visit by the Ducks’ mascot, QuackerJack. After hosting an assembly with the school’s entire second grade, QuackerJack and TD Bank representatives hosted a special celebration in Esposito’s classroom with cupcakes and popcorn. Esposito was presented with a $50 Visa gift card by TD Bank Vice President of U.S. Field Marketing Eric Fishon and TD Bank Deer Park store manager Mary Warren-Mancini.

“It was awesome, said Esposito. “I was so excited to win.”

Esposito was among hundreds of applicants who wrote essays on the topic, “Who is a hero in your community and why?” He chose his uncle, North Babylon firefighter David Flammio, who was invited to the day’s events.

Additional photos courtesy of Long Island Ducks