Students in grades fifth to eighth in Wabash County were given the opportunity to participate in this year’s Americanism Essay Contest, “What Makes You Proud of America,” sponsored by the Illinois Elks Association. Each Lodge throughout the State selected their “Top Three” essays from both divisions: Division I: fifth and sixth grades; Division II: seventh and eighth grades, which were then submitted to the District for judging. Each District winner was then submitted to the State for judging. State winners were announced during the May Elks State Meeting in Springfield. Over 200 essays were submitted at the local Lodge level. First-place winners were awarded $50; second-place winners $25; and third-place winners $15. Each winner was awarded a Certificate of Merit. The top 3 winning essays were submitted to the South Central District for District judging. Lodges in the South Central District include: Carmi, Centralia, Fairfield, Flora, Lawrenceville, McLeansboro, Mount Carmel, Mount Vernon, Olney, and Salem.
Louise Acree, Americanism Chairman of the local Elks Lodge, was pleased to announce the local Lodge winners: Division I: fifth and sixth grades: First Place: Elizabeth Hefner-St. Mary’s School; Second Place: Zeme Moore-Mt. Carmel Grade School; Third Place: Isabella Andrews-St. Mary’s School; Division II: seventh and eighth grades: First Place: Molly Rafferty-St. Mary’s School; Second Place: Marissa Goldman-Mt. Carmel Jr. High School; Third Place: Liv Alka-Mt. Carmel Jr. High School.
Louise Acree, Americansim Chairman, had the privilege to present awards to the students at St. Mary’s School who had winning essays. Pictured, left to right, are Louise Acree, Elizabeth Hefner (first-place winner in fifth-sixth grades), Isabella Andrews (third-place winner in fifth-sixth grades), Cindy Brogan (St. Mary’s School Principal).
Americanism Essay winner Zeme Moore, who earned second-place honors in the fifth-sixth grades in the Americanism Essay Contest, was presented with a $25 check and a Certificate of Merit from Louise Acree, Americanism Chairman. Pictured, left to right, are Louise Acree, Zeme Moore, and Sarah Morris, Social Worker at the Mt. Carmel Grade School.
Receiving awards in the seventh-eighth grades in the Americanism Essay Contest from Louise Acree, Americanism Chairman, were: left to right: Louise Acree, Liv Alka- Third-Place, Marissa Goldman-Second-Place, and Mt.Carmel Jr. High School Principal Steve Holt.
Molly Rafferty, St. Mary’s School, captured first-place award in the Elks Americanism Essay Contest for seventh-eighth grades.