American Legion Post 89 in Pella recently recognized elementary students for flag essays they wrote for an annual contest held by the veterans organization, and the winners read their works Monday night.

Jefferson Intermediate School 5th Graders Addison VanWyk, Kyrie Lyons, and Isabelle Spurgeon won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize respectively for essays written in the fall about the American Flag. The three all shared with 92.1 KRLS News they enjoyed expressing their views about patriotism and the flag, and learned a lot about what the important symbol stands for. VanWyk and Lyons read their essays at the American Legion meeting Monday in the Pella Memorial Building, in front of veterans, as well as family and friends.

Over 200 essays are submitted each year between students at Jefferson Intermediate and Pella Christian Grade School.