Elks Lodge 380's Americanism Committee recently presented awards to local winners of the Americanism Essay Contest for 2023-2024.
Students from five schools in the Hot Springs area, in grades five through eight, won awards this year and were presented with medallions, framed certificates, American flag pins and cash awards in ceremonies at their schools, a news release said.
Local winning essays are submitted to the State Committee, and winning essays at the state level are submitted to the National Committee. Winners at state and national levels are awarded larger cash prizes.
This year's topic was "What the Bill of Rights Means to Me" and a new topic for 2024-2025 will be announced at the Elks' National Convention in July. Information about the new topic and essay contest will be provided to area teachers in September.
"The Americanism Essay Contest has been an annual event for many years and is directed toward the Elks' goal of promoting patriotism," the release said.
Attending the presentation at Hot Springs Junior Academy were, from left, Laura West, coordinator of the Gifted and Talented Program; Kacky Carey; Rayleigh Rauda, first place, eighth grade; Jackie Holloway; and Andrea Matlawski. (Submitted photo)
Attending the presentation at St. John's Catholic School were back, from left, Teresa Mayer, teacher; Andrea Matlawski; committee member Judy Chudy; Jackie Holloway; Jennifer Elder, principal; and Kacky Carey; and front, from left, Daniel Gherghel, third place, sixth grade; Sasha Tvedten, second place, sixth grade; and Alexa Adkinson, first place, sixth grade. Not pictured are the seventh grade second place winner, Trudy Gollon, and seventh grade third place winner Angie Desiderio. (Submitted photo)
Attending the presentation at Fountain Lake Middle School were Evan Green, front, first place, fifth grade, and back, from left, Andrea Matlawski; Green's mother; teacher Corey Jackson; committee member Nancy Chudy; Jackie Holloway; and Kacky Carey. (Submitted photo)
Attending the eighth grade presentation at Fountain Lake Middle School were, from left, Andrea Matlawski; Judy Chudy; teacher Michael Carey; Julia Richardson, second place, eighth grade; Kacky Carey; and Jackie Holloway. Not pictured is the third place eighth grade winner, Alicia Blocker. (Submitted photo)
Attending the fifth grade presentation at Cutter Morning Star Elementary School were, from left, Nancy Chudy; Andrea Matlawski; second place winner Neya Hunnicutt; third place winner Hunter Womack; Kacky Carey; and teacher Abigail Bridgewater. (Submitted photo)