Three Parsons Middle School eighth grade students secured all top three places in Division IV of the Elks Lodge #527 Americanism Essay Contest, answering the question, “What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?”
Local Elks Lodge representative Kyla Shultz announced at a morning assembly at the middle school that 1st place in the eighth grade division went to Allen Byrd, 2nd place to Jaqcen Reece, and 3rd place to AJ Pontious.
All three young men, though confident in their writings for the entries, expressed their surprise and elation with winning.
Nationally, through their Americanism Committees, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks holds an essay contest for 5th – 8th grade students. Each grade is judged as a separate division, I through IV. Each state uses the same theme for judging purposes.
Shultz said the contest “challenges students to thoughtfully consider American values and appreciate the blessings and responsibilities of American citizenship.”
“This patriotic contest gives school children an opportunity to express their pride in America. Fostering our youth’s appreciation and respect for patriotism is central to understanding our country’s heritage. Elk’s all across the country enthusiastically endorse this program because patriotism is one of the Elk’s cornerstones. Many thanks go out to all the students, parents, guardians, and teachers who allow this essay to take place each year,” said Arthur Brault, Past Deputy Director and 2024 state chairman of the Elks Americanism Committee.
There were over 200 essays submitted throughout all grades to the local Elks Lodge.
Of those, Shultz said 75 were eighth grade essays received from area schools. The essays are judged anonymously, so the students’ names and schools were unknown until the winners were chosen by the judges.
All three winning eighth graders this year are students in Debbie Shaffer’s history class at Parsons Middle School. Students' responses were to be 300 words or less. The essays are judged on three criteria: Originality - avoids the use of trite or worn out words and phrases; Development of theme - stays focused on ideas and thoughts; don’t ramble; and Mechanics and neatness - uses proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.
“This was a history writing assignment. All of my social study students had to write an essay. They had a couple of days to think and write what patriotism means to them, individually,” Mrs. Shaffer said. “Patriotism/Americanism has been a yearlong theme in our class. After writing the essay, if students wanted to submit their essay to the contest, they could do that, for extra credit points.
Once the judging is done by the local Elks chapters, the winning local essays are sent to the district level for judging at the district level. Winners are then sent to the state for judging. From all entries submitted by local chapters, the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners from each division, totalling 12 essays, are sent to the State Americanism Chairman by Feb. 28, 2025, or the date established by the State Association. The State Americanism Chair selects the top three winners for the state. The first place winners from each division are then sent to the Grand Lodge Essay Contest Administrator by March, 31, 2025
Prizes and money are awarded at the local, state and national level.
Plaques will be awarded by Grand Lodge for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place for national winning essays in Divisions I (5th grade), II (6th grade), III (7th grade), and IV. 98th grade). Monetary awards will be disbursed for each grade level for 1st Place—$1,000; 2nd Place—$500; and 3rd Place—$250. Winners will be announced at the Grand Lodge Session.
“I am so proud of my students for placing in all three places. I have wonderful students who have bought into the idea of loving our American past and our present, our politics, and our Constitution,” Shaffer said. “I am having the best time facilitating the learning in my students to develop their own sense of patriotism.”
