Elks Lodge names local essay winners

VW independent staff/submitted information

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has  announced the winners of the 2024-2025 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Essay Contest. This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “What Does Patriotism Mean To Me”. 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)

• Fifth grade – first place: Tinsley Williman, Crestview Elementary School
• Fifth grade – second place: Brayden Truman, Lincolnview Elementary School
• Fifth grade – third place: Brianna McClure, Grover Hill Elementary School
• Sixth grade – first place: Kyrie Dreyer, St. Mary’s Catholic School
• Sixth grade – second place: Addi Horstman, St Mary’s Catholic School
• Sixth grade – third place: Crew Kreischer, Crestview Middle School

(Pictured left to right, back row)

• Seventh grade – first place: Will Gerardot, Crestview Middle School

• Seventh grade – second place: Harper Perrott,  Crestview Middle School
• Seventh grade – third place: Kendall Hesseling, Lincolnview Middle School
• Eighth grade — first place: Chase Feasby, Crestview Middle School
• Eighth grade – second place: Evangelene Williman, Crestview Middle School
• Eighth grade – third place: Corbin Coil, Crestview Middle School

Winners in the northwest district level were Crew Kreischer and Corbin Coil who placed first in their age group; Tinsley Williman placed second in her age group and Brayden Truman and Chase Feasby placed third in their age group.

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 congratulated all winners and thanked 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.