February 11, 2025
Club File
A&E

Oswego Legion Auxiliary hosts essay contest winners

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Pictured are (front row, from left) Brendon Whowell, John Dickinson, Chad Martin, Emma Marquardt, McKenzie Farrell, Parker Holland, Sydney Johnson, (back row) Steve Ideran, Jim Vera, Angelica Corral, Allyson Smerz, Kyra Woodland, Rebecca Wolf, Sarah Bombrys, Zoe Griffins, Joshua Colladilla, Christian Lebogana Mack, Rebecca Walters, Department ALA President Marsha Haag and Oswego ALA 675 President Lori Pierce. (Photo provided)

The Oswego American Legion Auxiliary Post 675 invited the Americanism Essay Contest winners to read their essays at an awards night on April 16.

The subject of the A.L.A. Department of Illinois Americanism Essay was “What National Monument Means the Most to Me.”

Winners in the Oswego Unit 675 included:

Class I (seventh and eighth grades) – first place, McKenzie Farrell from Traughber Junior High, teacher Dan Hallahan; second place, Parker Holland from Murphy Junior High, teacher Paul Erickson; third place, Chad Martin from Plank Junior High, teacher Jim Johnson; honorable mention, Zoe Griffins from Murphy Junior High, teacher Paul Erickson.

Class III (11th and 12th grades) – first place, Christian Lebogana Mack from OEHS, teacher Rebecca Walters; second-place tie, Angelica Corral from OHS, teacher Tracy Contino, and Rebecca Wolf from OEHS, teacher Jim Vera; third place, Joshua Coladilla from OEHS, teacher Rebecca Walters; honorable mention, Allyson Smerz from OHS, teacher Tracy Contino.

The subject of the National American Legion Auxiliary Essay Contest was “What Can I Personally Do to Promote Americanism in My School or Community.”

Winners in the Oswego Unit 675 included:

Class III (seventh and eighth grades) – first place, Emma Marquardt from Traughber Junior High, teacher Dan Hallahan; second place, John Dickinson from Traughber Junior High, teacher Dan Hallahan; third place, Brendon Whowell from Traughber Junior High, teacher Dan Hallahan.

Class V (11th and 12th grades) – first place, Sarah Bombrys from OEHS, teacher Steve Ideran; second place, Kyra Woodland from OHS, teacher Tracy Contino; third place, Sydney Johnson from OEHS, teacher Steve Ideran.

In addition to essay contest winners, Girls State participants Allyson Smerz and Sarah Bombrys were recognized, along with Erica Palomar, who was given the Participation Award for receiving the Nursing Scholarship from Past President Parley Chair Sandy Ramey.