Coshocton Elks present awards to youth
Morgaan Kelton read her winning essay on “What the Pledge of Allegiance Means to Me” at the Elks awards banquet on Thursday, May 7.
Jessie Gibson was named River View Student of the Year at the Elks awards banquet on Thursday, May 7.
COSHOCTON – The Coshocton Elks met Thursday, May 7 at the Lodge to award county youth who were involved with the Elk’s hoop shoot tournament, Americanism contest winners, and Elks students of the month from September through April, with a banquet dinner and trophies.
Paul Bowman, chairman of the hoop shoot, presented awards to the following students who received first place in each age category in the hoop shoot: Prestyn Patterson in the 8 – 9 year old girls; Ashlyn Bible in the 10 – 11 year old girls; Bailey Bowman in the 12 – 13 year old girls; Carter Stanton in the 8 – 9 year old boys; Brody Shrimplin in the 10 – 11 year old boys; and Peyten Patterson in the 12 – 13 year old boys.
Second place was awarded to the following students in each age category: Brittany Henderson in 8 – 9 year old girls; Kelsey Bowman in 10 – 11 year old girls; Janessa Albertson in 12 – 13 year old girls; Camden Albertson in 8 – 9 year old boys; and Brody Border in 10 – 11 year old boys.
There were six local winners who advanced to districts in the Americanism Essay Contest, sponsored by the Coshocton Elks Lodge 376. Those winners were: Morgaan Kelton and Connor Stevens-Woolery, both sixth graders at Sacred Heart; Thomas Larntz, sixth grade, Coshocton Elementary; Alyssa Casey, eighth grade, Coshocton Junior High; and Annie Bosson and Josie Fornara, both eighth graders from River View Junior High.
This year’s essay topic was “What the Pledge of Allegiance means to me”.
Kelton, who will advance to state, read her essay at the awards banquet. She credits her father as her inspiration for her essay.
“My father was in Dessert Storm and he passed away in 2012,” she said. “I kind of followed him a lot and wanted to be like him.”
It was her father who instilled her love of American patriotism.
“This country means a lot to me,” she said. “I like it because you’re not ruled by a king of queen and nobody can control what you say and do.”
Kelton is a member of the Coshocton Elementary band and was a member of the Sacred Heart Choir. She is also involved in TLC.
The Elks then recognized the students of the month from September through April for both Coshocton and River View. The Coshocton students of the month were: Rachel Ramsey, James Magness, Cameron Wiandt, Mitchell Millikem, Gavin Vought, Katie Tupper, Emily Hartley, and Claire Bowman. The Elks named Wiandt the Student of the Year.
The River View students of the month were: Marc Fitch, Jessie Gibson, Nicholas Wilson, Shaunalyn Dobson, Elizabeth Lozowski, Rachel Lozowski, Darby Croft, and David Evert. The Elks named Gibson the Student of the Year.
“I’m very appreciative and honored,” said Gibson. “I’ve lived in this town my whole life and I see what the association does and how they better the community. It is an honor to be associated with them.”
Gibson is a class officer, involved in student council, president of the letterman club, and is active in swimming and volleyball. She plans to attend Bluffton University and major in dietetics and nutrition.
After the awards were presented, students and parents were invited to a dinner prepared by members of the Elks.
“It makes us proud that we have young outstanding athletes and academic youth in our county,” said Mike Wilson, exalted ruler. “These youth in Coshocton County take time to participate in these contests. These are the positive things our youths do in our county.”
For more photos of the awards banquet, visit our website at coshoctonbeacontoday.com
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
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