Clearfield Jefferson Clarion County Council American Legion Auxiliary holds spring meeting
The Clearfield Jefferson Clarion County American Legion Auxiliary recently held its dinner/ business meeting hosted by Philipsburg, John Ashly Dennis, Jr. Auxiliary Unit 437.
Members from the three counties attended the dinner/business meeting.
The council is made up of 14 Units from the three counties with over 1,500 members.
Barbara McCracken, Clearfield Jefferson Clarion Council President welcomed the 11 units and their guests who were present at the dinner/ meeting. The following units were presented certificates for reaching their membership goal for 2023: 2024 by Council District President Nancy Farwell; Walter W. Craig, Unit 354, New Bethlehem 100%; McMullen-Snyder Unit 392, Reynoldsville 107.8%; and Berlin-Bowser Unit 720, Knox 100%.
Each year the American Legion Auxiliary’s units sponsor the Americanism essay contest for students in the three council county school districts. This year’s essay title was “What Does Freedom Mean to Me?” Two hundred and seventy students from the three counties participated in the contest. Each unit submitted their first-place winner in their respective category to the Americanism County Council Chairperson, Debbie Rougeux, Punxsutawney, for the council level of judging.
The following were the 2024 Americanism Essay Winners: Class I (Grades 3 and 4) 1st Place: Kai Shofstall (Unit 95) Brockway; 2nd Place: Katelynn Koppenhaver (Unit 62) Punxsutawney; Class II (Grades 5 and 6), 1st Place: Aliza Graham (Unit 997) Lamartine; 2nd Place, Leonard Fremer (Unit 95) Brockway; Class III (Grades 7 and 8), 1st Place: Elysabeth Myers (Unit 95) Brockway 2nd Place: Brendan Wyant (Unit 997) Lamartine; Class IV (Grades 9 and 10), 1st Place: Kiara Phillips (Unit 997) Lamartine; 2nd Place: MacKenzie Holmes (Unit 95) Brockway; Class V: (Grades 11 and 12) 1st Place: Claire Henry (Unit 354) New Bethlehem; 2nd Place: Tristin Tuck (Unit 632) Grampian.
The council first-place winners were then invited to the council dinner/ meeting to read their essay to the council. Rougeux introduced the three present first-place winners: Kai Shofstall of Brockway Brockway, Kiara Phillips of Lamartine and Aliza Graham of Lamartine. Each read their essay that won in their respective category.
Each was given a certificate and prize money.
Unit reports were given by Units in attendance, with Sykesville Unit 345 announcing its Legion will celebrate its 100th anniversary on May 27. All were invited to attend this milestone event.
Punxsutawney Unit 62 announced that they will be sponsoring Avary Powell to attend Girls State this summer the week of June 16-21. American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students entering their senior year of high school. This weeklong event gives participants a firsthand experience with practical insight into how the federal government works. More than 7,500 students have experienced American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation since it was founded in 1947.
Keystone Girls State is a non-partisan government and civics leadership program designed to teach the importance of responsible citizenship and to empower young women to make a change in their community. The program has been designed to educate and empower young women to become responsible and informed citizens for the betterment of their city, county, and state. Girls attending will gain knowledge about the structure of Pennsylvania government, history of the United States and how to use their voice to strive to create an environment that promotes civility, understanding and respect for all. Female high school juniors interested in applying to attend American Legion Auxiliary Girls State are encouraged to contact their school counselor or their local American Legion Auxiliary units regarding the application process and deadline.