Two Basin students win State Americanism Essay Contest

Theo Powell and Trapper Triplett both wrote an essay for the American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Essay Contest. Their essays won the state competition and are headed to Washington, D.C. for the national contest. 

On Monday, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 29 member Jeri Hall presented the certificates to Powell and Tripplet. With them were their moms Merrita Powell and Melissa Triplett. Joining the presentation too was fifth grade teacher Chere Knotwell. 

Hall explained that each year, the auxiliary sponsors the essay for students in grade 5-11 grade. “I was very lucky to get associated with Chere Knotwell. She has been so enthusiastic about having her students write essays. This year the theme was ‘Celebrating America’s 250^th birthday and the veterans who fought for our freedom.” 

Knotwell said getting the students involved in patriotism was important because of her father who was military police in the Army, “I think it is very important to honor veterans.” She also feels it is important to involve the students in agriculture and farming. 

This is her third year teaching in Basin and the third year of her students participated in the essay project.  She starts the school year going over the writing process including topic sentence, big idea, transitions, supporting details, etc. 

The students write the essays then put them away for a while. Later, they review the essays for final edits before submitting to the contest.  Knotwell noted that Hall has brought books, comic books on teaching the U.S. Constitution, poppies on Veterans Day and pocket-sized constitution books to the classroom.  “She has kind of adopted our class. Our students carry those books around with them. They even took them to the mock trial at the courthouse.” 

Powell said it was important for him to write the essay because both his parents are veterans and because we have our freedom because of veterans. One line in his essay says, “The soldiers could have chosen not to go out to war, but they chose to fight for America’s freedom and our country. So, we better be super grateful for those who served and cherish America.” 

His mom, Merrita, stated that the essay meant a lot to the entire family. “We’re both veterans so we are very patriotic in our home. To see patriotism has passed down to our kids means a lot.” 

Tripplett explained he felt it was important to write the essay to thank the people that served this country. He learned that the soldiers “left their families to save ours” A line from his essay reads that we should be grateful for “the people who gave us liberty and the people who gave us the right to vote.” His mom, Melissa, said she is very proud. “It is a pretty neat accomplishment.”