The Salem Elks Lodge has announced their yearly winners in the National Americanism Essay Contest.
The theme of the contest this year is ‘What the Bill of Rights Means to Me.’
The Salem Elks asked fifth through eighth graders at Franklin Park, Iuka, Odin, Raccoon, Kell, South Central, Salem Apostolic Academy, and Selmaville to participate.
Salem Elk’s Americanism Chairperson Elizabeth Shuler says a total of 68 essays were entered.
Winning at the sixth-grade level was Alei Deitz from Franklin Park School. Winners from 7th grade were Emily Parrett, Raquel Vittitow, and Kooper Wilkins all of Raccoon Grade School. Eighth-grade winners were Paison Ogrzewalla of Raccoon School, Logan Butts of Selmaville School, and Paelynn Harris of Iuka School.
The winning essays will now be sent to the District Chairman who will choose the top three in each grade from the District level. Those will then go into the state competition with the winner in each grade level there being judged for the national winners.
At this point, first-place, second-place, and third-place authors in each division will receive monetary awards of $1,000, $500, and $250 respectively.
Seven Grade Winners. Left to right: Elizabeth Shuler, Salem Elks Lodge #1678 Americanism Chairperson; Raquel Vittitow, Raccoon School; Robert Lafenhagen, Salem Elks Lodge #1678 Exalted Ruler; Emily Parrett, Raccoon School; Kooper Wilkins, Raccoon School; Misty Johannes, Superintendent Raccoon School.
Sixth Grade Winner. Left to right: Elizabeth Shuler, Salem Elks Lodge #1678 Americanism Chairperson; Robert Lafenhagen, Salem Elks Lodge #1678 Exalted Ruler; Alei Deitz, Salem Franklin Park
