The Kanawha City Lions Club sponsored an essay contest at the three Kanawha City elementary schools on the theme of “What the American Flag Means to Me.” The students at the schools were ask to write an essay of at least 50 words but no more than one full page. It was graded 75% on content and 25% on grammar.
The competition was for 4th and 5th grades only. The top five essays were selected by each school and the Lions Club selected one as the winner for the school. The winner was awarded a $200 savings bond and the four others each were awarded a $25 savings bond. Each finalist was presented with a certificate of achievement and a small American Flag. Also each winner was given a coupon for a scoop of Ice Cream from Baskin Robbins along with all students that wrote an essay at each school.
Chamberlain Elementary
-Ashley Blair, winner
-Danyell Layne, finalist
-Abby Moore, finalist
-Esha Pell, finalist
-Savannah Westfall, finalist
Kanawha City Elementary
-Payel Patel, winner
-Bryanna Christian, finalist
-Emily Harrell, finalist
-Peyton Panger, finalist
-Joe Schwartz, finalist
St Agnes School
-Sarah Clifford, winner
-Caroline Dundervill, finalist
-Ben Fairless, finalist
-Emmy Pauley, finalist
-Kally Werning, finalist
The winners from each school and their parents were invited to attend the Lions Club regular meeting on May 20 and read their essays to the Lions Club members. After the parents and other family members were introduced, the essays read, then Earl Jackson, Club President, presented each winner with their $200 saving bonds. Also the students were presented with a Citizenship plaque that adds their names to a list of previous winners at each school. The Plaque will be returned to each school to be displayed for other students to learn the winners and recognize them for their achievement.
The flag essay program is promoted by the International Lions Club to promote respect for each country’s flag. In America, we pledge allegiance to the flag. We tell the students that a Pledge is a promise to do something and Allegiance means to be loyal or devoted to something.
The closing ceremony at each school is concluded with the following:
“This flag you receive today, although small in size, is as valuable as the largest flag ever made. Take this flag home with you. It is your flag. Put it where you can look at it every day. Be happy and proud that you have your own flag. This flag has many names –’Old Glory’, ‘The Stars and Stripes’, ‘The Star Spangled Banner’– but, no matter what it is called, this flag stands for America, freedom and equality for all mankind. Be proud of your flag. Be proud to be an American.”
This year Club member Bill Grizzell also gave a short history about the American flag. He had a replica of the original flag that only had 13 stars. He discussed that our flag has three distinctive colors: Red for Courage, White for liberty and Blue for loyalty.
The Kanawha City Lions has conducted the essay contest each year since 1984. Over the 22 year period, several changes were made. During the last 7 years, the ice cream coupons were added as a token of appreciation and to recognize all participants, The last four years, a Color Guard was provided by the Capital High School ROTC.
Jim Slamick, Flag Essay Contest Chairman, says “Every year I so enjoy the interpretations of the students as to WHAT THE FLAG MEANS TO ME.”