OSMOND — Each year the American Legion Auxiliary sponsors an Americanism essay contest for students in grades 3 to 12.
Essays are judged in five "classes/ groups:" third and fourth, fifth and sixth, seventh and eighth, ninth and 10th, and 11th and 12th from the Os mond Community and Saint Mary's schools.
Essay titles vary each year. The 2026 essay title was "Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday and the Vet - erans Who Fought for Our Freedom.”
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 326 recently awarded first- and second-place prizes in each of the five classes.
First place winners received $25 and second place winners received $15 cash.
Winners were as follows:
Fourth grade
Liam Stech, son of Andrew and Danielle Stech Hazel Steinkraus, daughter of Allan and Vanessa Steinkraus
Fifth and sixth grades
Bennett Aschoff, son of Walter and Michele Aschoff Axton Stech, son of Jonathan and Traci Stech
Seventh and eighth grades
Emmett Hoffman, son of Terry and Kayla Hoffman Tucker Thelen, son of Kari Miller and Todd Thelen
Ninth grade
Evynn Kumm, daughter of Joel and Erin Kumm Kenley Friedrich, daughter of Brody and Tiffany Friedrich
Eleventh grade
Ava Severson, daughter of Matt and Keri Severson Addison von Rentzell, daughter of Jason and Lisa von Rentzell The Americanism essays will be printed in the Osmond Republican as space allows. The first is printed
