Mattoon American Legion Auxiliary Unit 88 awarded first place in the Americanism Essay contest to Madeline Landrus, eighth-grade student at Mattoon Middle School. The title of the essay was "Patriotism: How We Are More Alike Than Different". Madeline was presented a check and read her essay at the March meeting of the Auxiliary at the American Legion. Her essay has been forwarded to the District Auxiliary for further competition. The American Legion Department of Illinois sponsors the essay contest each year for students in the seventh through twelfth grades. The purpose of the contest is to aid the schools in the teaching of Americanism and citizenship.
Pictured is Mattoon American Legion Auxiliary President Gina Lockhart, MMS student Madi Landrus, and Auxiliary Chaplain and Americanism Chairman, Rhonda Davis.