Van Wert Lodge #1197 Announces Americanism Essay Contest Winners

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks would like to announce the winners of the 2022-2023 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Essay Contest.    This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “What is your American Dream”.     The students competed in divisions, by age group.

The local winners, which were forwarded to the District for further judging, were:

Anita Carvajal was the lodge chairman in charge of the Lodge Americanism Committee and is pictured with the winners.

1st Place Winners  (pictured left to right, front row)
Div I – 5th  Grade – Lizzie Eding – Crestview Elementary School
Div II – 6th Grade – Cole Dewert – Crestview Middle School
Div III – 7th Grade – Annabel Horstman – Lincolnview Middle School
Div IV – 8th Grade – Cole Miller – Crestview Middle School

2nd Place Winners  (pictured left to right, middle row)
Div I – 5th Grade – Kendall He3sseling– St Marys Catholic Elementary
Div II – 6th Grade – Brooke Stoller – Wayne Trace Middle School
Div III – 7th Grade – Ila Hughes– Lincolnview Middle School
Div IV – 8th Grade – Harrison Sloan – Van Wert Middle School

3rd Place Winners  (pictured left to right, back row)
Div I – 5th Grade – Megan Parker – Payne Middle School
Div II – 6th Grade – Paylin Gray – Crestview Middle School
Div III – 7th Grade – Zavier Kemler – Lincolnview Middle School
Div IV – 8th Grade – Lilly Mason – Van Wert Middle School

Lily Mason placed first in the Northwest District Division IV competition.  Megan Parker placed second in the Northwest District Division I competition and Annabel Horstman placed second in the Northwest District Division III competition.  Kendall Hesseling placed third in the Northwest District Division I competition.

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 would like to congratulate all of our winners and we wish to thank all of the students, teachers and schools for their participation in this years essay contest.