VFW Auxiliary #4117 honors top entries in annual elementary essay contest


Top VFW Auxiliary essays from St. Patrick School ... Left to right: Charlee Corwin, Third Place for fifth grade; Stella Iverson, First Place for fourth grade; Cody Bloxham, Third Place for third grade; Markus Howe, Third Place for fourth grade; and Emerson Mezera, First Place for fifth grade. Submitted photo.

Top VFW Auxiliary essays from East Elementary School ... Left to right: Miranda Wuebker, Second Place for fifth grade; Maxwell Lograsso, Second Place for fourth grade; Miles Stone, First Place for third grade; and Ryder Benzing, Second Place for third grade. Submitted photo.

The VFW Auxiliary #4117 recently presented awards for the “I Love America Because” VFW Auxiliary Elementary School Essay Contest for students at St. Patrick School and East Elementary School in Waukon. Principal at East Elementary is Mrs. Samantha Thornton and principal at St. Patrick School is Mrs. Katie Fahey.

Awards for the winners were presented after the St. Patrick School Mass April 26 and at an East Elementary assembly May 3. The local winners were selected from 174 entries and went on to the district level of competition. Receiving awards at that district level were Ryder Benzing, Second Place for third grade; Stella Iverson, Second Place for fourth grade; and Miranda Wuebker, First Place for fifth grade. The local winners at East Elementary and St. Patrick Schools included the following:

Third-graders used the topic “I Love America Because. . .” for their essay.  Winners included:
First Place - Miles Stone, son of Rachel Stone and Pat Stone, Waukon. He is a student of Janet Walleser at East Elementary.
Second Place - Ryder Benzing, son of Shannon and Ryland Benzing, Waukon. Kris Rausch is his teacher at East Elementary.
Third place - Cody Bloxham, son of Sara Needham and Joe Bloxham, Waukon. His teacher is Sandy Riese at St. Patrick School.

Fourth-graders wrote on the topic “I Am Grateful For Veterans Because. . .” and the winners included:
First place - Stella Iverson, daughter of Trish and Brady Iverson, Luana.  Her teacher is Jennifer Benda at St. Patrick School.
Second place - Maxwell Lograsso, son of Ashley Lograsso and Cody Allison, Waukon. Katie Hoppel is his teacher at East Elementary.
Third place - Markus Howe, son of Mindy Howe and Matt Howe, New Albin. His teacher at St. Patrick School is Loretta Schafer.

Fifth graders had the topic “I Am Proud to be an American Because. . .” and the winners included:
First place - Emerson Mezera, daughter of Shannen and Nick Mezera, Waukon. Her teacher is Tiffany Koenig at St. Patrick School.
Second place - Miranda Wuebker, daughter of Anne and Chris Wuebker, Decorah. Sara Retalick is her teacher at East Elementary.
Third place - Charlee Corwin, daughter of Crystal and Neal Corwin, Waukon. Her teacher at St. Patrick School is Tiffany Koenig.