Essay and Poem Contests

Here are the 2023 winners:

The 2023 Americanism Poem, "Thanking our Veterans for our Freedom". The topic was chosen by our State Department President, Joyce Smith. This is offered to all students in Grades 3-6th broken into five classes. The following Students were awarded:

Class II-4th grade-Caylix Buchholz---Honorable Mention

Class III-5th grade-Mariah Moulton—Honorable Mention

Class IV -6th grade-Harper Andera---1st Place

Brooklyn Schwebach---2nd Place

Colton Buchholz---3rd Place

The 2023 Americanism Essay, "What does patriotism mean to you?" The topic was chosen by our National President, Vickie Koutz. Essays are offered to all students grades 3-12, broken into six classes.

Class II-5th & 6th grades—Cecilia Fiegen---1st Place

Gavin Coburn---2nd Place

Colton Buchholz---3rd Place

Class III-7th & 8th grades---Blair Ellefson---1st Place

Carter Siemonsma---2nd Place

Taisa Westover---3rd Place

Class IV-9th & 10th grades--Addison Hove---1st Place

Martin Welch---2nd Place

Audra Genzler---3rd Place

Class V-11th & 12 grades---Emily Miles-Honorable Mention

         The America Legion Auxiliary Americanism Poem and Essay Program is presented to all 3rd thru Senior students. Also Special Education Students are to be included.

         The two programs do have cover sheets that need to be filled out and the Poem entry also needs information on the back of the poem. The forms do have guidelines printed out.  Please note that students in grades 3rd thru 6th may choose to do one or both.

Spelling and neatness are a must!

The Title must be on the Poems and Essays—WORD FOR WORD!! Capitalization for Capitalization!

(Please make sure students do not add any punctuation to the end of the Essay or Poem Title!)

All entries received will be judged by local Auxiliary. Winners will be sent to District. District winners will be announced @ the Spring District 7 meeting.

A special Thank You to Mrs. Kelsey Buchholz as we had a National Winner last year! Erin Steen won the Garretson Unit award, the District 7 and the South Dakota State award and was 1 of the National 6 Division winners. Erin won $50.00 for herself and $50.00 donation in her name will be made to the Children of Warriors National President’s Scholarship fund.