An eighth grade student at Raccoon Grade School is the 8th grade statewide winner in the Illinois Elks essay contest. Paison Ogrzewalla, the daughter of Jeremy and Amanda Ogrzewalla, read her essay at the Illinois State Elks Convention in Springfield on Saturday. She will receive $500 from the State Elks for the first place finish.
The theme this year is “What the Bill of Rights Means to Me.”
One of the other local winners from the Salem Elks Lodge led to a second place finish in state in the 7th grade division. Raquel Vittitow of Raccoon School will receive $350.
8th grader Logan Butts of Selmaville School also represented the local lodge well.
Next fall, a new essay in the Americanism Essay Contest for the Elks will be delivered to the local grade schools served by the Salem Lodge.
