The 2024 Rochelle-area American Legion Essay Contest is complete. The topic was “What does freedom mean to me?”
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ROCHELLE — The 2024 Rochelle-area American Legion Essay Contest is complete. The topic was “What does freedom mean to me?”
In the eighth year of this program, it was a banner year. Almost every area school participated, and the Legion had a total of 90 essays. The program is for grades seven & eight (American Legion Competition Class III), freshman & sophomore (American Legion Competition Class II) and junior & senior (American Legion Competition Class I).
For American Legion Competition Class III, St. Paul Lutheran, which has participated every year, contributed 25 essays. Eswood, which has also participated every year, had 15 essays. Back this year was Kings with 20 essays, Steward with 19 essays and Creston with five. There were six essays at Rochelle Township High School for American Legion Competition Classes I & II with several of these students having been involved with the program since seventh grade.
Winning top honors in each class were: Class I: first place, Jessica Nguyen; Class II: first place, Magdalene Good; and Class III: first place, Makenzie Johnson. These winning essays were forwarded to the 13th District of the American Legion for competition at that level.
First and second places were named at all participating schools:
RTHS – Class I: First - Nguyen; secnd place - Aiden Ramsey. Class II: First place - Magdalene Good; second place - Kathryn Groves.
St. Paul: First place - Makenzie Johnson; Second place - Andrew Eyster.
Eswood: First place - Nolen Schweitzer; Second place - Chyenne Somers.
Kings: First place - Preslee Sanders; Second place - Kenna Beck.
Steward: First place - Morgan DeLille; Second place - Benjamin Hayes.
Creston: First place - Jasmyn Mascote; Second place - Caroline Montgomery.
Thanks to all students for their participation.
A very special thank you goes out to the Rochelle Culver’s Restaurant. They have been a supporter of the veterans of the Rochelle area, the American Legion Post 403 and this program since its start-up. Every year they provide every student who submitted an essay with a free scoop of custard. Please thank them for their generosity.
