Following are the 2020 American Legion Essay Contest-winning students’ names, grades and teachers, listed by grade-level categories:

Students in grades 4-5 wrote essays on the theme, “How Can I Help a Veteran in Need?” Winners were:

• 1st Place: Josiah Lidbeck, Grade 4, Clovis Elementary School, Teacher: Mr. Penning
• 2nd Place: Kylie Antonio, Grade 4, Freedom Elementary School, Teacher: Mrs. Lyon
• 3rd Place: Esabelle Palafox, Grade 4, Woods Elementary School, Teacher: Mr. Wolpert

Students in grades 6-7 wrote essays on the theme, “What Does the National Anthem Mean to Me?” Winners were:

• 1st Place: Cole Stephen Fennacy, Grade 7, Alta Sierra Intermediate School, Teacher: Mrs. Fletcher
• 2nd Place: Alice Wedekind, Grade 7, Reyburn Intermediate School, Teacher: Mrs. Contreras
• 3rd Place: Mia Petersen, Grade 6, Fort Washington Elementary School, Teacher: Mr. Knod

Students in grades 8-9 wrote essays on the theme, “Does It Matter if I Vote?” Winners were:

• 1st Place: Matthew Ames McBride, Grade 9, Clovis West High School, Teacher: Mrs. Booth
• 2nd Place: Aeryn McNeil, Grade 8, Alta Sierra Intermediate School, Teacher: Ms. Haux
• 3rd Place: Angelina Gonzales, Grade 9, Clovis East High School, Teacher: MSgt. Latour

Students in grades 10-12 wrote essays on the theme, “Why Are Veterans America’s Heroes?” Winners were:

• 1st Place: Yabsira Abejie, Grade 11, Buchanan High School, Teacher: Mrs. Gleason
• 2nd Place: Zoie McColm, Grade 10, Clovis High School, Teacher: Ms. Lewis
• 3rd Place: Ryan Christopher Wilder, Grade 11, Gateway High School, Teacher: Mrs. Steele

Exceptional Needs Students ages 11-20 wrote essays on the theme, “Why Do I Love My Country?” Winners were:

• 1st Place: Austin Henry, Grade 7, Kastner Intermediate School, Teacher: Mrs. Worden
• 2nd Place: Johnathan Juarez, Grade 7, Kastner Intermediate School, Teacher: Mrs. Worden
• 3rd Place: Bradley Bliatout, Grade 11, Clovis East High School, Teacher: Mrs. Margulis