The local winners have been announced in the 2022-2023 Elks Grand Lodge Americanism Essay Contest.
Salem Elks Lodge #1678 Americanism Chairperson Elizabeth Shuler says there were 58 essays entered in this year’s competition involving Franklin Park, Iuka, Odin, Raccoon, Kell, South Central, Salem Apostolic Academy, and Selmaville Schools.
Sixth-grade winners were Raccoon Grade School students Emily Parrett, Allison Renth, and Raquel Vittitow. Seventh-grade winners were Emma Tate of Selmaville School and Paison and Ashlyn Jamison of Raccoon Grade School. Eighth-grade winners Cecilia Little and Jaida Defend of Raccoon Grade School and Selmaville 8th-grade student Riley Tate.
The winning essays will be sent to the District Chairman who will choose the top three in each grade. Then the State Chairman will select the best in each category and send those to the Contest Administrator on the national level.
This year the theme was ‘What is Your Dream?”
Seventh-grade winners left to right: Dave Lund, Superintendent Selmaville School; 7th grader Ashlyn Jamison, Raccoon School; Robert Bob Lafengagen, Salem Elks Lodge Representative; 7th grader Emma Tate, Selmaville School; John Roddy, Salem Elks Lodge Representative; 7th grader Paison Ogrzewalla, Raccoon School; Angie Courtright, Selmaville School ELA instructor; Elizabeth Shuler, Salem Elks Lodge Americanism Chairperson.
Sixth grade winners (left to right): Robert Lafenhagen, Salem Elks Lodge Representative; 6th grader Raquel Vittitow, Raccoon School; 6th grader Allison Renth, Raccoon School; 6th grader Emily Parrett, Raccoon School; John Roddy, Salem Elks Lodge Representative; Elizabeth Shuler, Salem Elks Lodge Americanism Chairperson.
