Three Parsons eighth graders place 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the Elks Club Americanism Essay Contest.

 

1st place in the eighth-grade division went to Allen Byrd, 2nd place to Jaqcen Reece,  and 3rd place to A.J. Pontious.

 

Local Elks Lodge representative Kyla Shultz announced the winners last week at an assembly at Parsons Middle School. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks holds a national competition each year through their Americanism Committees, for 5th – 8th grade students, with each grade level competing in its own division. This year, students answered the question,  “What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?” Shultz said the contest challenges students to thoughtfully consider American values and appreciate the blessings and responsibilities of American citizenship. Students' responses were to be 300 words or less and were judged on three criteria: Originality; Development of theme; and Grammar and Neatness.

 

Students from across the area submitted more than 200 essays for the competition with more than 75 in the 8th grade division.

 

As the 1st place winner, Allen Byrd’s essay will be sent to the Grand Lodge Essay Contest Administrator to compete at the national level. Winners will be chosen and announced this summer.

 

Photo: (left to right) Allen Byrd, A.J. Pontious, Parsons Middle School history teacher Debbie Shaffer, Jaqcen Reece