Chester VFW Post announces winners of Americanism Art, Essay and Poster contests
<span>CHESTER - Members of the Chester VFW Post 3553 and VFW Ladies Auxiliary visited Chester Grade School on May 8 to announce the winners of the VFW Americanism Art, Essay and Poster Contests.</span>
<span>Making the presentation announcements and presentations of the awards were Ed Pierce, VFW Post 3553 commander, Mary Pierce, Ladies Auxiliary Americanism chairperson and Past Chairperson Joan Dotson.</span>
<span>The goals of the Americanism Program are to promote patriotism, teach students about American heritage, demonstrate the proper care of the U.S. flag, and to ensure that the public will never forget the sacrifices made by American soldiers.</span>
<span>According to Mary Pierce, the three-part contests of this year's program include students at all three Chester elementary schools in grades pre-kindergarten through 5</span><span>th</span><span> grades. Dotson, who further clarified that the program is a nationwide contest with all VFW clubs eligible to participate.</span>
<span>The program has three levels. The "Local Level Program" is conducted in the local city area. There is also a "District Level Program" which judges coloring pages, posters and essays from various winners from the local levels. </span>
<span>The Chester contest feeds into the District Level Contest, which includes Randolph, Monroe, St. Clair, Washington, part of Clinton and Perry counties. Winners from the District Level feed into the State Level Competition.</span>
<span>Pre-K and kindergarten students had the opportunity to enter the coloring contest by coloring a pre-printed color page.</span>
<span>First through 3</span><span>rd</span><span> graders created posters to demonstrate their understanding of and dedication to Americanism, while members of the 4</span><span>th</span><span> and 5</span><span>th</span><span> grade classes wrote an Americanism essay to demonstrate their understanding of and commitment to patriotism/Americanism.</span>
<span>At some schools, classrooms and grade level participation were mandatory as part of a classroom assignment, while at others it was strictly voluntary. Chester Grade School Principal Tim Lochhead was in attendance for the honors.</span>
<span>CGS had winners in all three grade categories, totaling seven different individuals. Award winners were chosen from among all of the entries at each grade level in each competition category at all schools.</span>
<span>Prize winners all received Americanism certificates and cash monetary awards for their efforts. </span>
<span>Alissa Kelley was the 2</span><span>nd</span><span> place winner from the CGS Kindergarten Category in the Coloring contest. She received a certificate and a $2 cash award for her prize.</span>
<span>In the 1</span><span>st</span><span> through 3</span><span>rd</span><span> grade Poster Contest category, there were three winners from CGS. Robbie Myers (1st grade) won first place and received a certificate and a cash prize of $10. His poster also placed 2</span><span>nd</span><span> at the District Level Competition, for which he received a District certificate and a cash prize.</span>
<span>Bethany Baughman (3rd grade) won first place and received a certificate for her efforts along with a cash prize of $7.</span>
<span>Bryan Cates (1st grade) won 3rd place and received a cash prize of $5 and a certificate.</span>
<span>Three Chester Grade School 5</span><span>th</span><span> grade students won prizes in the Americanism Essay Category. Paige Favier won 1</span><span>st</span><span> place in the 4</span><span>th</span><span> and 5</span><span>th</span><span> grade age group and received a certificate and a cash prize of $15 for her winning effort.</span>
<span>Favier's essay then advanced to the District Level judging and she placed 2</span><span>nd</span><span> at the District competition.</span>
<span>Freddie Alvarez placed 2</span><span>nd</span><span> at the Local Essay Contest level and received a Local certificate and a cash prize of $10.</span>
<span>Finally, Jerald Copple was the 3</span><span>rd</span><span> place winner at the Local Essay Contest. Copple received a Local certificate along with a cash prize of $5.</span>
<span>The Chester VFW Post 3553 Club and Ladies Auxiliary extend a big thank you to all students and teachers who took part in the Americanism Contest at CGS, making it a success.</span>