Winners of 2024-2025 Bloomsburg Elks Lodge – Grand Lodge Americanism Essay Contest:
First Row: Rosalynn Turnbough, fifth grade, second place; Daniel Getz, sixth grade, third place; Evan Stenglein, sixth grade, first place; Quay Anna Beyer, seventh grade, first place;
Second Row: Gisele Tobin, ER; Ryan Yu, fifth grade, third place; Maxwell Lylo, fifth grade, first place; Anne Grose, sixth grade, second place; Leah Sosnoski, Essay Committee;
Third Row: Caleb DuMond, seventh grade, third place; Jett Kline, eighth grade, third place; Christopher Getz, eight grade, first place; Irelynn Gallagher, seventh grade, second place.
Not pictured: Lily Lenker, eighth grade, second place; and Mary Ruth Wagner, Essay Committee Chairperson. Winners advanced to the state competition
Americanism Essay Contest 2025-26
The Bloomsburg Elks Lodge #436 of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks is again holding the Americanism Essay Contest for 5th , 6th , 7th , & 8th grade students in our area for the 2025-26 year.
The theme this year is “WHAT DOES SERVICE TO YOUR COUNTRY MEAN TO YOU?” We feel the contest is important because it involves school children in our area and it gives them an opportunity to show Americanism at its best.
In addition to the final awards made by the Grand Lodge, our local lodge #436 will present cash awards in the amounts of $50, $40 and $30 to division winners. We also have a short presentation at our Lodge after winners have been selected and notified.
I am enclosing a copy of the rules for the contest and a copy of the coversheet (each entry must have its own coversheet carefully printed). Also include student’s name, address, grade, and school on the essay. The deadline for entry is December 15, 2025. Judging criteria includes avoiding trite words and phrases, development of theme (focusing on ideas and thoughts), and mechanics and neatness, proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
The entries should be sent to Maryruth Wagner, 189 Kindt Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. I am including my email, kindtrd189@gmail.com and cell number is 570-854-1347 in case you have any questions.
You can also drop off essays at the Bloomsburg Elks Lodge #436, 1223 Old Berwick Road, Bloomsburg, PA attention MARYRUTH WAGNER.
I look forward to many entries from your students.
Sincerely,
Maryruth Wagner
Chairperson
Please download and submit this PDF document with your essay.
