Iyanna Louis wins Legion essay contest
FITCHBURG » Mckay Arts Academy student Iyanna Louis recently claimed the first place prize in the American Legion Post 10 Pensive Patriot Essay Contest.
This essay contest was created as Fitchburg does not have a Veterans of Foreign Wars post, so its Patriot’s Pen Contest is not directly available. Writing is valuable as part of a Teams educational program, and civic education is important to the future of America.
American Legion Post 10 offered to sponsor a local version through Fitchburg Public Schools. Mckay Arts Academy Principal Mark Pierce stepped up and brought the program to the two, eighth- grade teachers who best fit this content — Nicole Bourgeois and Tracy Donavan.
This is the third year of an essay contest and the first with the Pensive Patriot name and spring timing to fit the curriculum coverage.
American Legion Post 10 provides three award levels: first place: $ 75, second place: $50 (3) and third place $25 (3).
Forty essays were generated for the third year in a row, and the question was, “What makes a good American?” The VFW judging rubric was used and the judges included former FHS graduates in Australia, Thailand, and Illinois, local educator friends, and a Fitchburg High School junior accepted as a Girls State Citizen and the sister of one of the teachers.
Second place prizes went to Julian Chacon, Jeyline Melendez and Alejandro James. Third place prizes were awarded to Juan Rivera Jr., Olivia Michaud and Jose Sola Lemus.
Three students were also recognized with honorable mention by their teachers: Leilani Rosado Resto, Parker GuillenCarnes, and Azai PierreLouis.