Marina students win big at the American Legion Auxiliary essay contest

Three Marina students earned top honors with their writings in an essay contest about patriotism sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

Each year, the organization offers 270 units in California the opportunity to sponsor the Americanism Essay Contest. As it has for the last 20 years, Monterey Cypress Unit 694 of District 28 sponsored the contest again this year. Unit Americanism Chair, Elisabeth Billingsley, worked with the teaching staffs in Marina schools to promote and implement the essay contest in their respective classrooms. At their recent annual Convention, the Department of California American Legion Auxiliary awarded three Marina students the highest possible recognition for essays in their respective groups at the state level. The winning essays were selected from more than 4,000, written by students in grades 4 through 12 across California.

Alexis Williams, a student at Marina Vista Elementary School, was the First Place winner in Group I, Grades 4 and 5, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation and $100 cash award for her essay entitled, “Why Should I Show Respect for the American Flag?”

America Osornio, a student at Los Arboles Middle School, was the First Place winner in Group III, Grades 8 and 9, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation and $200 cash award for her essay entitled, “What Does the ‘Pledge of Allegiance Mean to Me?’ ”

Tatiana Youpa, a student at Marina High School was the First Place winner in Group IV, Grades 10, 11 and 12, earning a $2,500 Educational Grant. She received a Certificate of Appreciation and check for $500. The remaining $2000 grant balance will be credited to any accredited college or university located within the United States or its territories within two years following Tatiana’s graduation from high school.