The American Legion Post in Knoxville has recognized ten students at Northstar Elementary as the top finishers in their annual essay contest…in which fifth grade students were asked to write about what the American flag means to them.

Students gathered in one of the rooms at Northstar on Thursday as Edie Anderson was chosen as the winner of this year’s local contest; she will move on to represent Knoxville in the state competition, with the opportunity to move on to nationals.

Curt Froyen from the American Legion says the choice was difficult, but it’s heartwarming to read these children’s words and find out how much their country says to them.

He tells KNIA/KRLS News when he asked the children if anyone in their family had ever served in the military, every hand out of about 120 went up…which shows how much the people of Knoxville back our men and women in uniform.

“This community has always supported our military in just amazing fashion, and there’s a great deal of pride that comes from serving the country. And when I read the essays by all of these students, it just…it really kind of stirred my heart, I can tell you that, to read how much they cared about our flag, about our country,” Froyen says.

Each of the participants received a letter of commendation from the American Legion, an American flag and commemorative coins from Ft. McHenry, the site which inspired the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner. All of the students present received their own miniature American flag.

This year’s winners include:

Edie Anderson (first place, far right)

Halle Baker

Lillian Beach

Jessie Jiang

Elia Marean

Tristan Mobley

Ahren Mohler

Olivia Scovel

Madeline Smith

Urban Ziller