Americanism is a core principle of the Elks organization, which is one of the reasons the organization sponsors the Elks Americanism Essay Contest each year. Through the contest students in grades five to eight are invited to write on the theme, “What does service to your country mean to you?”
Four eighth-grade Wyoming Valley West students were honored with Certificates of Recognition from the National Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Essay Competition. The recognition ceremony was held on April 21 at Wilkes-Barre Scranton Elks Lodge.
Patrick Schneider placed first from the essays submitted from Wilkes-Barre Scranton Elks Lodge 109 to the Northeast District Elks and his essay made it to the state level for consideration. Claire Stokas placed second from Elks Lodge 109 and advanced to the Northeast District level. Rylee LaBarr and Autumn Delzeit placed third from Elks Lodge 109 and also advanced to the Northeast District level.
Mary Theroux, Wilkes-Barre Scranton Elks Lodge 109 Americanism chair and past exalted ruler, along with Harrison Levi, Elk member and Americanism Committee member, presented the four students with their certificates and awards. Ned Whalen, eighth-grade social studies teacher at Wyoming Valley West Middle School, also attended the event and spoke to the students and guests on the importance of Americanism and on the hard work that went into writing the essays.
For information on the Elks’ Americanism activities and the 2027 essay contest, contact Theroux or Levi at the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Elks Lodge 109 at 570-714-2616.