Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 34 has announced the winners in this year’s Americanism Essay Contest. Anna Dollar, a tenth-grade home-schooled student from Monticello, won first place at both the local branch and Southeast Region levels for her grade. Her essay on the topic of “What the United States Flag Stands For” has now advanced to nationals.
“We would like to congratulate all that entered,” said FRA Branch 34 Secretary Alex Topicz (U.S. Navy, Ret.), adding that in most cases the difference between placements was less than a percentage point.
Results at the local level for FRA Branch 34 (including Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla and
Franklin counties in Florida, plus Albany, Ga.) were as follows:
Grade 11:
First Place: Laney Cruce, Aucilla Christian Academy, Monticello
Second Place: Elena Moore, Rose Academy, Tallahassee
Grade 10:
First Place: Anna Dollar, Home School, Monticello,
Grade 9:
First Place: Vera Peters, Home School, Monticello
Second Place: Gigi Mediate, Home School Monticello
Third Place: Peyton Waller, Home School, Tallahassee
Grade 8:
First Place: Allie Dollar, Home School, Monticello
Second Place: J R Watson, Aucilla Christian Academy, Monticello
Third Place: Jacob Vickers, Aucilla Christian Academy, Monticello
Grade 7:
First Place: Ilo Pillari, Home School, Newberry
Second Place: Wyatt Wellman, Aucilla Christian Academy, Monticello,
Third Place: Logan Waller, Home School, Tallahassee
Winners at the local branch level receive a certificate and a monetary award. All who placed first in their grade at this level had their essays submitted to the FRA Southeast Region, to be judged for submission to FRA National.
Dollar's essay went on to win first place for the tenth grade in the FRA Southeast Region. For winning at the regional level, Dollar has received an additional certificate and a monetary gift card. Now her essay has been submitted for judging at FRA National, and she is eligible for the grand national award of $1,500. Other national winners receive $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place and $500 for third place. National judging usually takes place in August.
“A special congratulations to Anna Dollar on being eligible for the grand prize two consecutive years.,” said Topicz.
FRA is a lobbying fraternity that advocates on behalf of active duty, reserve and veteran personnel in the Sea Services, including the Marines, Coast Guard and Navy. It has served as their voice on Capitol Hill for more than 96 years. Today, it works with 35 other military and veterans' organizations to represent their interests to the government. They also sponsor legislative seminars across the country to inform Sea Services personnel about governmental actions that affect them. For more information, visit www.fra.org.
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