The pizza party on March 31, 2026, was attended by fourth grade students who wrote essays this year, their family members, Dr. Lana Weaver and auxiliary representatives.

Legion Auxiliary President Sharon Miller introduced each of the students and held the microphone while many read their essays to those gathered for the awards presentation. Two students, Rylee Lininger and Piper Hicks, were not able to attend the awards banquet, but their essays were read aloud by Dr. Weaver.

Dr. Lana Weaver and Mrs. Prella Smith are the fourth grade teachers at Liberty Curtin this school year. Mrs. Smith was not able to attend the Legion awards banquet this year.

Dr. Weaver was thrilled to have so many families represented at the awards ceremony and also commended the students for their essay writing during the evening by saying she “is so proud of the kids … They are all winners to me.”

TAMMY COAKLEY/THE EXPRESS Dr. Lana Weaver, far left, and Legion Auxiliary President Sharon Miller, far right, are shown with fourth grade Americanism Essay writing students at Liberty Curtin Elementary who enjoyed a pizza party hosted by the Beech Creek American Legion Auxiliary on March 31.

In celebration of our nation’s semiquincentennial birthday this year, the essay theme was “Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday and the Veterans who Fought for Our Freedom.”

Following the reading of each of their essays, students were presented with a certificate for participating before the first, second and third place winners were announced.

Students who received a $10 cash award for their essay entries were Enock Ream, Mason Wright, Katie Miller, Madilyn Stone, Madison Kleckner, Allison Jolloff, Jillian Bechdel, Savannah Murphy, Sophia Robinson, Matthew Maggs, Lily Kulakowski, Piper Hicks and Rylee Lininger.

The third place winner of this year’s essay writing contest was Madelynn Quick, a daughter of Tyler and Torilynne Quick, of the Marsh Creek area of Howard. Madelynn is in Dr. Weaver’s classroom. She received a $25 cash award.

The second place winner was Huntlee Morningstar, a son of Brittany Wagner, of Blanchard. Huntlee is also in Dr. Weaver’s classroom at Liberty Curtin. He received a $50 cash award for his writing efforts.

The first place winner of the 2026 Americanism Essay Contest was Elise Brungart, a daughter of Mark Brungart, of the Marsh Creek area of Howard. Elise was a little shy and didn’t want to read her essay in front of the crowd, so her aunt, Vanita Watson, read the essay on Elise’s behalf. Elise is a student in Mrs. Smith’s classroom at Liberty Curtin Elementary. She earned a $100 cash award for her winning essay. Her essay will now advance to the next level of the essay writing competition.