We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Two students from Turner Public School recently received trophies that designate them as state-level champions in the 2024 American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Americanism Essay Contest.
After writing and submitting essays on the topic: "What Freedom Means to Me," Gracie Zellmer and Isley Welsh won recognition in April from ALA's local Big Flat Unit 109. The two winning essays advanced to District and then to State competition.
Front-runner in Class II (Grades 5 and 6) at state, Zellmer is the daughter of Hogeland residents Jordan and Elissa Zellmer. Enrolled as a seventh grader at TPS this fall, Zellmer wrote last spring on the topic: "Freedom means having the privilege of a country that does not prevent us from saying what we need to improve our lives and perform our religion. It would be scary to imagine a world where freedom is not allowed....I honor those who have served to build that freedom."
Zellmer's first-place essay goes on to credit her great, great uncle Louis Denfeld for the role he played as an admiral and decorated serviceman in the U.S. Navy. "He helped shape the freedom I practice," Zellmer wrote.
Second place winner in Class I (Grades 3 and 4) was Isley Welsh. Currently a fifth grader at TPS, she is the daughter of Kurt and Julie Welsh of Turner.
In her winning essay, Welsh wrote "I think freedom means . . . to be unruled, unrestricted, and independent. . . . It also means people have the right to vote on their choice and have their own opinion. A personal freedom is that people can have a say in things like political arguments; to have a voice that makes a difference."
Kirsti Cederberg, who serves as the Americanism Chairman for ALA's Unit 109 on the Big Flat in District 2, explained the gap in the trophy presentation and the contest. "It took a little while for the state to send the trophies, but as soon as they arrived, I presented them to the girls," she stated.
Sponsored annually by the ALA, the Americanism Essay Contest not only allows students to assess the value of patriotism but to develop their thoughts and knowledge on what being an American signifies. According to the group's website, "the process of writing the essay enables students to explore the various facets of Americanism and patriotism. Students examine the rights and freedoms given to citizens through the struggles and sacrifices of our citizens provided in the United States Constitution and [investigate] why flag history and etiquette acknowledge those who served and are still serving our country to maintain our freedoms."
American Legion Auxiliary units nationwide sponsor the essay contest for all third through twelfth grade students, including those with disabilities. The essay contest makes provisions for six classes determined by grade level, with specific word count requirements and a checklist to ensure fulfillment of all requirements.
An ALA spokesperson stated: "The Americanism Essay Contest instills in our youth patriotism in our country while allowing students to reflect on what freedom means to them. This contest serves the ALA's mission, creating a nation of citizens inspired to protect our liberties and respect our country's flag for future generations."
The 2025 topic will invite youth to consider "What America the Beautiful Means to Me." Essays will be judged on grammar, spelling, content, and following directions. The ALA asks each school to set their own deadlines to allow time for them to judge essays and submit the top five from each class for final judging by Unit 109. This method of having the essays pre-judged enables students to make any necessary corrections to grammar and spelling prior to the final judging by the Auxiliary. Essays created using AI are disqualified from the contest
With these contests, the ALA hopes to promote a lifelong respect of our flag and country.
