Tehachapi News

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Members of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 221, are pleased to announce the winners of their recent Americanism Essay Competition. Students received congratulatory certificates and cash prizes for their efforts. There were five categories divided by grade level.
In group one (grades 4 and 5), first place was awarded to Amber Gallagher, a fifth grader at Golden Hills School, with her essay titled Why I Am Thankful To Live In America.
Brooke Sasia, also a fifth grader, from Tompkins Elementary was awarded second prize. Third prize was awarded to Shayla Patterson, also a fifth grader at Tompkins Elementary.
In group two (grades 6 and 7), first place was awarded to Jenna Cooper, a seventh grader at Jacobsen Middle School, with her essay titled How the Constitution of the United States Affects Me.
In group three (grades 8 and 9), First place was awarded to an essay titled What it Means to be an American, written by Lance Luttkus, a eighth grader at Jacobsen Middle School. Second prize was awarded to Grant Wickersham, and third place was Sarah Breen both of Jacobsen Middle School.
In group four (grades 10, 11 and 12), The First place prize was awarded to Rebecca Barnes, a twelfth grader at Tehachapi High School, with her essay titled What Does Being A Good American Citizen Mean? Second and third place winners were also twelfth graders at Tehachapi High School, Christina Tinajero and Abigail Thorpe.
Group five, children with exceptional needs (ages 11 to 14), the first place winner was Trey Albarquez, of Golden Hills School, for his essay titled Why We Should Fly the American Flag. Second place was awarded to Alex Diaz also of Golden Hills School, and third place was Kayla Ward of Cummings Valley.
Several Honorable Mention awards were given to students for their efforts in the Americanism Essay Competition.
Members of the American Legion Auxiliary extend their grateful appreciation for the time and effort expended by both the teachers and students in the preparation and writing of the essays. In promoting the Americanism Essay Competition, the Auxiliary places an emphasis on American History and traditions while hoping to instill in the students a sense of personal obligation to accept an active part in the duties and responsibilities of American Citizenship. All first place essays are entered into District Competition for further judging.