The Knoxville American Legion Baty-Tucker Post 168 held their 2025 flag essay contest ceremony at Northstar Elementary School on Wednesday morning, and fifth grader Jocelyn Viek was selected as the winner.

Every fifth grade student at Northstar was asked to submit an essay to the local American Legion about what the American Flag means to them. Ten students were selected at the ceremony as finalists for the contest, and all received their own American flag along with a certificate and commemorative quarters. Veik was selected as the winner and received $50 from the legion. Part of Veik’s essay was highlighted at the ceremony where she wrote, “We are United to each other by our flag. It makes me think “wow” I am proud to not only be an American, but to be living in the United States. If you think about it, united means together or love, so I think everyone should love each other. United together, we can do anything!” Veik tells KNIA/KRLS that being selected as the winner meant a lot to her.

“It made me really happy because I had a great aunt in the military and she got kidnapped off the army and I feel like if she would have been here and known she would’ve been proud of me and that makes me happy.”

Hear Veik read her full essay on an upcoming Let’s Talk Knoxville.