NEW PALESTINE — American Legion Post 182 members recently conducted a poetry contest for area students.
The students were asked to write a poem with the theme designed to honor military veterans and heroes.
Organizers planted the seed, and the students responded with touching and inspirational poems which brought a tear to many family members and veterans on hand for the presentation, officials said.
Several students from Hancock County schools participated in the contest, and the winners were awarded $75 for first place, $50 for second place, $25 for third place and $20 for fourth place and lower.
Third-, fourth- and fifth-grade category winners included students, Gavin Smith, first place, The War Across the World, $75; Makenzie Smalley, second place, Thank You Veterans, $50; Weston Elementary School. Rachel McKim, third place, Thank You, $25; Tylar Whitaker, fourth place, The Sacrifice, $20, Brandywine Elementary School; New Palestine Elementary School, Isabella C. Rosa, fifth place, Thank You Veterans, $20; Maxwell Intermediate School and Jaydon McBride, sixth place, Because of Veterans, $20, Eden Elementary School.
The seventh- and eighth-grade winners were part of Category 2, where all winners were from Doe Creek Middle School. Officials said there were no sixth-grade participants.
Alex Alonzo, first place, The Price, $75; Sarah Howard, second place, Sacrifice, $50; Kennedy Garrett, third place, The War Hero, $25; Emma Mann, Forth place, A Soldier’s Colors, $20; Madix Johnson, fifth place, The Ultimate Sacrifice, $20; Jaret Whitaker, sixth place, Thank You Veterans, $20.
