Van Wert #1197 Announces Essay Winners

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks would like to announce the winners of the 2025-2026 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Essay Contest.    This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “What Does Service to Your Country Mean To You?”.     The students competed in divisions, by age group.

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

  (Pictured left to right, front row)

 5th Grade – 1st Place – Ellie Adam – Crestview Elementary School

5th Grade – 2nd Place – Kendrix Farris – Lincolnview Elementary School

5th Grade – 3rd Place – Maverick Tice – Crestview Elementary School

6th Grade – 1st Place – Azalea Hammons – Crestview Middle School

6th Grade – 2nd Place – Alirah Ricker – Grover Hill Middle School

6th Grade – 3rd Place – Eastin Brincefield– Crestview Middle School

 (Pictured left to right, back row)

7th Grade – 1st Place Sawyer Schlatter – Wayne Trace Middle School

7th Grade – 2nd Place – Isabel Merkle – Crestview Middle School

7th Grade – 3rd Place – Addison Horstman – Lincolnview Middle School

8th Grade - 1st Place – Hazel Smith – Lincolnview Middle School

8th Grade – 2nd Place – MeganParker – Wayne Trace Middle School

8th Grade – 3rd Place – Gage Grubb – Crestview Middle School

Anita Carvajal – Lodge Americanism Committee Chair

 Winners in the Northwest District level were Azalea Hammons and Addison Horstman who placed first in their age group; Hazel Smith placed second in her age group and Kendrix Farris, Isable Merkle and Megan Parker placed third in their age group.  

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 year’s essay contest.

Anita Carvajal is the lodge chairperson in charge of the Lodge Americanism Committee.