News & Calendar

SJA MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS, February 12, 2010
Three students from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian have been named local winners in the 41st annual "America & Me" Essay Contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance. Several thousand eighth grade students from nearly 500 Michigan schools participated in the 2009-2010 "America & Me" Essay Contest, which was conducted with the help of Farm Bureau Insurance agents across the state.  The topic of the 2009-2010 contest was "My Personal Michigan Hero." 

The three St. Joseph Academy winners, who earned the first, second and third place awards for their school, are Madison Johnson (1st), Kanan Pandya (2nd) and Clare Kucera (3rd).  All three received an award certificate for their achievement.  As the school's first place winner, Madison's name was also engraved on a plaque for permanent display in the school.

Madison Johnson'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 statewide winners, who will be announced 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 a 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 will determine the ranking of the top ten statewide winners this year.

Started in 1968 and open to all Michigan eighth grade students, the essay contest encourages Michigan youngsters to explore their roles in America's future.  As sponsor of the contest, Farm Bureau Insurance has earned 11 national awards from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.

Saint Joseph Academy is a Catholic school sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters and open to children of all faiths.  The school features programs for children ages 18 months to eighth grade at two campuses, in Adrian, Michigan and in Tecumseh, Michigan. 


>> Go back to News

[ back to top ]