Madison McGregor, Emma Busch and Anastasia Moser were the first, second and third place winners in the 55th annual America & Me Essay Contest sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.
The Beach Middle School students received award certificates for their achievement and McGregor’s name will be engraved on a plaque for permanent display in the school.
Her essay now advances to the state level competition where the top 10 essays in Michigan will be selected, and the winners will be announced this month. Winners will receive a plaque, a medallion and a cash award of $1,055.
Farm Bureau Insurance will also be presenting each top 10 statewide school with a $1,055 check along with an additional $555 if the school was sponsored by a Farm Bureau Insurance agent.
The traditional annual America & Me Essy Contest Awards Day is planned for May 29 in Lansing. The top 10 students and their teachers from across the state will be invited to participate in the day-long group recognition’s.
Several thousand 8th grade students from about 200 Michigan Schools participate in the contest. The topic was “My Personal Michigan Hero.”
A team of finalist judges including a top Michigan government official as well as sponsoring teachers of last year’s top two statewide winners, will determine the ranking of the top ten statewide winners this year.
Started in 1968 and open to all Michigan 8th grade students, the America & Me Essay Contest encourages Michigan youngsters to explore the greatness of America and its people. As sponsor of the contest, Farm Bureau Contest has earned 11 national awards from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
