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Each year the American Legion Auxiliary sponsors poem and essay contests for grades 3rd through 12th. This year’s Americanism essay contest title was “What does Freedom mean to me?” The Avon School District had 16 entries for the 5th grade poem division (Class III) and 13 entries for the 6th grade poem division (Class IV). The essay entries totaled 29 for the 5th and 6th graders (Class II), 40 entries for the 7th and 8th graders 9 (Class III), and 1 solo entry for the high school (Class IV). The first-place winner in each class will move on to compete at the district level. Thank you to all of the students who participated and the staff at the Avon School District for helping to facilitate the contest. Poems Embracing Our Veterans by Kaylee DeJong (1st Place, Class III) With family at home, they traveled across sea Kids writing letters, Will there ever be a we? Never get a break, Always on the go Don’t know what’s next, Just go with the flow. Seeing people fall, Never seems to end; Start to get happy, Then lose a friend. Embracing Our Veterans by Johanna Namminga (2nd Place, Class III) While my grandpa was in the war His family had thoughts He was determined to come home So he fought He fought hard He had to do it for many harsh years There was harsh weather too But that didn’t stop him When he came home My family was happy They hugged and kissed him Everyone was glad he was home. Embracing Our Veterans by Greger Voigt (3rd Place, Class III) Veterans fought for us Veterans died for us Veterans are nice Veterans are brave Playing outside Thanks to veterans We have freedom Thanks to veterans Eating well Thanks to veterans Sleeping well Thanks to veterans Embracing Our Veterans by Palmer Podzimek (1st Place, Class IV) The soldiers fought bravely The soldiers fought hard The soldiers fought great The soldiers fought their best The soldiers came home The soldiers are happy The soldiers had some injuries They were welcomed home The soldiers should be loved They should be respected The soldiers risked their lives They should be embraced Embracing Our Veterans by Ashley Soukup (2nd Place, Class IV) Saying goodbye to families Leaving for years Arriving in another country Getting prepared for war Going to war Fighting for our lives Seeing things nobody wants to see But still fighting for our country and winning Coming home Getting to see family waiting Celebrating back at home and Seeing how much everybody loves you Embracing Our Veterans by Zane Rush (3rd Place, Class IV) We need to love our veterans. We need to embrace them. Our veterans who fought need to be honored. They need to be treated well Our veterans fought. They all fought for freedom. They fought for all of us. That’s why they need to be embraced. Our freedom is from them. They all cared to keep us free. So we should care for them, too. We should embrace our veterans. Essay What Does Freedom Mean to Me? By Whitley Wolf (1st Place, Class II) Freedom. It’s a small word with lots of meanings. What do you think of when you think of the word freedom? Maybe you think of someone who fought. Maybe you think of what you can do on a regular day. Here are two perspectives that I would love to share and talk about. Someone overseas might think a little different than you and I. People overseas fight for our everyday rights that you, your family, your friends, and I are so thankful to have what we have right now. No matter what somebody does in the army or where they are deployed, they have a huge role in everything. Men and women young and old risk a lot for us. They risk their life and that’s huge. Not a lot of people have as much as you and I but I think every day of what I can do to give back to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Their Life. Now think about it yourself: What does freedom mean to me? When I think of freedom I think, “Wow. They did all of that just for me.” They fought so I can live with my family and make lots of great memories. They fought so I can get a good education. Without those brave men and women who fought I would not get to pick my job when I get older and now I will get to have a big family and celebrate 4th of July. Now think of freedom–what does that word mean to you? I just listed all the things it makes me think of. Now the next time somebody asks you what freedom means to you I hope you answer honest and think and let that sink in. Freedom.