Patriotic essay winners

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 82 and the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82 recognized the winners of the Americanism essay contest June 17. This year’s contest had students writing about how the country can address the health and well-being of veterans, active military members and their families. The winners and those recognizing them were (front row, from left) Abby Bley of Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Port, second place in the grades 7 and 8 category; Judy Jentges of St. John XXIII School, third place in grades 7 and 8; Sabrina Eixenberger of T.J., second place, grades 5 and 6; Sydney White of T.J., third place, grades 5 and 6; Kendall Johnson of T.J., first place, grades 5 and 6; (middle row) Barbara Papamarcos, fifth-grade teacher at T.J.; Casandra Crain, eighth-grade teacher at T.J.; Janet Ball, Auxiliary secretary and Americanism committee member; Diane Burkhalter, Auxiliary president, (back row) Jim Schmidt, Ozaukee County Legion commander, John Jacque, Post 82 commander; Tom Kastner, the mentor of Hewitt Dekker of T.J., first place, grades 7 and 8;  Cara Dekker, eighth-grade teacher at T.J.; and T.J. Principal Steve Sukowaty.                                                                   Photo by Sam Arendt