American Legion auxiliary recognizes students’ work

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 5 presented awards during the last several weeks to local students who participated in the Americanism Essay Contest and Poppy Poster Contest, according to information provided by Unit 5.

The auxiliary sponsors the contests to expose the next generation to issues concerning veterans, members of the armed forces and their families.

Winners at the school level moved on to the district competition and winners at the district level moved on to the state competition. Several Unit 5 students won the top prize at districts and will represent the local auxiliary this summer.

Cole County R-1 School District and California Middle School participated.

Here are the winners, by division. Divisions that are not included did not receive any entries.

Americanism Essay Contest

• Third and fourth grade: Ellery Adamski, first place; Nathanael Crews, second place; and Kambrie Kautsch, third place.

• Fifth and sixth grade: Denee Crews, first place; Grayson Kautsch, second place; and Adler Kautsch, third place.

• Seventh and eighth grade: Natalyee Moss, first place; Morgan Wingate, second place; and Dillon McGuire, third place.

• 11th and 12th grade: Georgia Ehhardt, first place; Jillian Schmidt, second place; and Emily Jurgle, third place, Poppy Poster Contest

• Fourth and fifth grade: Abigail Schmidt, first place; Owen Allen, second place; and Joe Strobe, third place.

• Sixth and seventh grade: Adriana Crews, first place; Bailey Wineland, second place; and Joshua Dick, third place.

• 10th and 11th grade: Schmidt, first place.

Amanda Moulton received an additional prize for a painting, which the unit ended up purchasing because she “captured what the auxiliary stands for and the auxiliary just had to have it,” according to the release.