Local students pen winning patriotism-themed essays
Courtesy of Joe Hudak
Lafayette Middle School student Haley Hettenschuler won first place for her patriotism essay. She and other students were recently honored by the Uniontown Knights of Columbus, who sponsored the contest. Pictured, from left, are Tom Palya, Daniel Stepanic, Bryce Bumbalough, Hettenschuler, Kimberly Bizik and Joe Hudak.
Courtesy of Joe Hudak
Kyleigh Marva, a student at Laurel Highlands Middle School, won second place in a patriotism essay contest sponsored by the Uniontown Knights of Columbus. Pictured, from left, are Joe Hudak, Jordyn Davis, Marva, Crosby Frantz, Tom Palya and Mike Rozgony.
Courtesy of Joe Hudak
Albert Gallatin North Middle School student Kelsey Ream won third place in a patriotism essay contest sponsored by the Uniontown Knights of Columbus. Pictured, from left, are Joe Hudak, Russell Psenicska, Ream and Tom Palya.
Courtesy of Joe Hudak
Two students at St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School received honorable mentions in a patriotism essay contest sponsored by the Uniontown Knights of Columbus. Pictured, from left, are Joe Hudak, Gabriela Frankenfield, Emmi Dedola and Tom Palya.
The Uniontown Knights of Columbus and Uniontown Columbian Association held its second annual Patriotism Essay Contest for eight grade students across seven middle schools in the greater Uniontown area.
The students were invited to research, write and submit an essay on the topic, 鈥淢y favorite local patriot is (name) and here蘑菇视频 why.鈥�
The first place winner was Haley Hettenschuller from Lafayette Middle School who wrote about her grandparents, Jim Jozefick, a retired U.S. Army captain and Crystal Jozefick, a retired U.S. Army master sergeant. Both served with distinction for 25 years. Her essay described in great detail the roles each held and how she is filled with a sense of pride for their service.
Hettenschuller received $300 for her winning entry.
Kyleigh Marva from Laurel Highlands Middle School won second place and $200 for an essay about her great grandfather, John Anthony Marva, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in action in World War II. He served on the USS Tennessee, which was attacked by the Japanese in Pearl Harbor.
Third place honors and $100 went to Kelsey Ream from Albert Gallatin North Middle School, who wrote about the training and sacrifices that her uncle, Doug Myers, endured in his 22 years in the U.S. Navy.
Essays from seven other students were also recognized, and received honorable mentions and a $15 gift card to Diary Queen. Those students were: Camila Monroy from Albert Gallatin North Middle School; Bryce Bumbalough and Daniel Stepanik from Lafayette Middle School; Jordyn Davis and Crosby Frantz from Laurel Highlands Middle School; and Emmi Dedola and Gabriela Frankenfield from St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School.
Kimberly Bizik, a language arts teacher at Lafayette was given a certificate of appreciation as 鈥渂est mentor.鈥� All three of the students from her class that submitted essays won awards.
Tom Palya, Grand Knight of Uniontown Knights of Columbus Council 1275 and Joe Hudak, Faithful Navigator of Albert Gallatin 4th Degree Assembly 926 recently visited the winners鈥� schools to present their awards.