Cashmere students advance in American Legion Auxiliary essay contest

CASHMERE—Four students from Cashmere Schools have been recognized for their participation in the American Legion Auxiliary's annual Americanism Essay Contest, which addressed the theme of freedom.

The Cashmere American Legion Auxiliary has selected essays from four local students to advance to the state level of the competition. The contest, open to students in grades 3-12, including those with special needs, challenged participants this year to write on the topic: "What does Freedom mean to me?"

The local winners, representing different grade categories, are:

• Noemi Rivera (Class I)
• Elias Fuller (Class II)
• Gloria Smith (Class IV)
• Zenia Mora-Garcia (Class V)

The students were honored at a presentation ceremony during the Legion and Auxiliary meeting on Thursday, October 3.

Linda Ingraham, President of the Cashmere American Legion Auxiliary #64, commented on the contest: "We are very proud of these young people in our community. Thank you to all of the ones who send in the essays this year & hopefully we get lots of them next year."

The Americanism Essay Contest, sponsored annually by the American Legion Auxiliary, divides participants into six classes based on grade level, with varying word count requirements for each class. Winners at the national level receive a $50 prize, along with a $50 donation made in their name to the Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship fund.