Three students from Wayland Union Middle School have been named local winners in the 49th annual “America & Me” essay contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.
The three students, who earned first, second, and third place awards for their school, were Halie Greene, first, Emma Rose, second, and Tiffany Zheng, third. All three received award certificates for their achievement.
As the school’s first place winner, Halie’s name will also be engraved on a plaque for permanent display in the school.
Greene’s first place essay now advances to the state level competition, from which the top ten essays in Michigan will be selected. The top ten state-wide winners, who will be selected in April, will each receive a plaque, a medallion and a cash award of $1,000. In addition, the top ten essayists will be honored at the banquet in Lansing, meet with Michigan’s top governmental leaders, and be the featured guests at a Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball game dedicated in their honor.
A team of finalist judges that includes a top Michigan government official and the sponsoring teachers of last year’s top two statewide winners this year.
Several thousand eighth grade students from over 350 Michigan schools took part in the 2017-2018 essay contest, which was conducted with the help of Farm Bureau Insurance agents across the state. The topic of the 2017-2018 contest was “My Personal Michigan Hero.”
Started in 1968 and open to all Michigan eighth grade students, the contest encourages Michigan youngsters to explore the greatness of America and its people. As sponsor of the contest, Farm Bureau Insurance has earned 11 national awards from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.