Americanism award winners

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The Ferron Post American Legion Auxiliary had their awards night where all of the winners received a cash award and certificate. Two of the local winners also went on to become district winners. Braycer Riley and McKay Meccariello were the district winners.
Post President Jo Sansevero said, “This year’s Americanism theme was “How can I show pride in being American” 130 essays were submitted from Ferron Elementary, San Rafael Junior High and Emery High School. Our local Unit 42 of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary judge these by grade and pick first, second, and third place winners. We then send the first place essays on to the our District #5 where they are then judged again and a winner for each grade is selected. The district consists of Emery, Carbon, Grand and San Juan Counties. This year we had two win at the district level. Braycer Riley Third grade and McKay Meccariello seventh grade.”
Third Grade-first place-Braycer Riley; Second place-Simeon Rice; third place-Kayden Chamberlain
Fourth Grade-first place-Jess Christiansen; second place-Jonika Conover; third place-Abby Willson
Fifth Grade-first place-Nya Heaton, second place-Bralin Wilde 3rd place-Matthew Horrocks
Sixth Grade-first place-Cage Crawford, second place-McKayla Adams; third place-Rebecca Barney
Seventh Grade-first place McKay Meccariello
10th Grade-first place-Sydney Staley; second place-Sierra Benson; third place-Shawnda Mangum
Braycer Riley’s essay
How can I show pride in being American
Show respect to the flag, put my hand over my heart. Take my hat off if I am wearing one. Display the American flag on Veterans Day.
Pray for the men and women who are fighting for our country. Be respectful to others, volunteer when needed. Be honest, help out the elderly people in my neighborhood. Buy American made cars, and products. Know my American history. Don’t break the law. When I turn 18 I will register to vote. Wear red, white and blue on special holidays like the 4th of July. Thank a veteran it can be your Grandpa, or Dad, Mom or just a friend. Be patriotic at parades, respect the American flag. Sing along with the National Anthem when you are at an event. Write a letter to an active duty soldier to let them know we appreciate all that they are doing for us to have freedom in the United States of America.
McKay Meccariello essay
How can I show pride in being American
How can I show pride in being American? The word pride means the quality or state of being proud. So if you have pride in your country that means you are proud of your country. As a citizen you show respect and love for your country.
I can show respect for my community and my country. Each day at school I get to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I put my hand on my heart and repeat the words of the pledge in unison with the other students. I stand tall and pronounce the words clearly and with respect. This is an example of me showing respect and pride in my country and community.
Another way to show pride in being an American is to be proud of what you stand for. As an individual, you can choose to show that you have pride in yourself by the way you act. I am proud to be an American and I try to conduct myself in a way that is pleasing to others. Those who have pride in themselves often have high self esteem and are confident. They act responsibly and try to do what is right even when no one is watching.
I can show pride also in being a American by recycling. If each of us would recycle it would make the United States a cleaner and better place to live and play. Our family has containers that we fill up with things that we have used but no longer need. When we go up north we pack the recycled items into bags and turn them in. Each one of my family members take a guess as to how much we will get for our recycled items. The one that guesses the closest to the actual amount receives the most money from the amount we get for the recycled items. With the money we’ve earned from recycled items we put it towards eating out as a family. items we need or towards family outings and vacations. By recycling it makes the earth cleaner and gives us something to do in our spare time.
I’m glad that I am an American citizen. I appreciate living in the land of the free because the sacrifices of so many have made our country what it is today.