Legion Auxiliary hosts essay contest winners

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 690 hosted students who entered the 2013 Americanism Essay Contest, sponsored by the Illinois departments of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The Legion, on March 14, at the American Legion Hall, at 122 W. Palatine Road, in Palatine.

Stephen Hannon, an eighth-grader at St. Theresa School, placed first in the competition and his essay will be entered in the American Legion District competition. The top entry at the District level will then proceed to the American Legion Department of Illinois contest. Top entries at both levels receive monetary rewards.

Also from St. Theresa, Grace Kaiser and Michelle Marvin tied for second place while Rachel Michalowski placed third.

The essay contest is open to students in grades seven through 12. Students in public and private schools or who are being home schooled, are eligible to participate. The purpose of the program is to aid the schools in the teaching of Americanism and good citizenship while rewarding the efforts of students.

The 2013 topic is “What Does the First Amendment Mean to Me.” Each entry must follow required rules and is reviewed by a team of impartial judges.

All students who entered essays and their families were invited to the Post to hear the top entries and attend the reception that followed. Students, who participated with essays, received a certificate and a monetary reward from Palatine Unit 690 Auxiliary.

Founded in 1919, The American Legion Auxiliary has almost one million members in nearly 10,500 units. The Auxiliary administers volunteer programs for veterans as well as within the community and is the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization. Through units located in every state and some foreign countries, the Auxiliary raises money to support its own programs as well as other worthwhile charities.

The Palatine Auxiliary holds its general meeting at 7:30 p.m., on the second Thursday of the month, except in July and August, at the American Legion Hall on Palatine Road. For information on American Legion Auxiliary Unit 690, any of their sponsored events or for membership, write to: American Legion Auxiliary, 122 W. Palatine Road, Palatine, IL 60067; call (847) 359-1606 or visit www.alpost690.us.

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