Elks sponsor prize-winning patriotic essays
Two area patriotic writers recently won second place at the state level of the Americanism Essay Contest sponsored by the national Elks Lodge. Knox Burns of Dalhart and Presley Kennedy of Channing represented Dalhart Elks Lodge 2390. Lynn Harruff, Elks Americanism Chairman, organized the local competition. Burns, 11, is the son of Maghan and Jake Burns. He was a fifth-grader at St. Anthony’s Catholic School at the time he wrote the essay and qualified for the state contest. He will attend Dalhart Junior High School beginning in August.
Kennedy is 13 and the daughter of Randi Cutrell and Woodrow Kennedy, both of Channing. She was a seventh-grader at Channing Elementary School when she wrote her state-qualifying essay but will attend school in Dumas for the 2024-25 school year.
Each wrote an essay of 300 words or less on “What the Bill of Rights Means to Me.” The competition began at the local lodge, progressed through district, then proceeded to the state level. For winning at the local level, each competitor received a leatherbound copy of the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence. For winning silver at state, Burns and Kennedy each received a plaque and cash prize.
The theme of the annual essay contest changes each year, but is always of a patriotic nature. The competition is open to all students in grades five through eight.
Next year’s topic will be “What does patriotism mean to me?”
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