Cape Henlopen Elks announce patriotic essay contest winners

Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540 announced the three winners of its annual Americanism Essay Contest.

Developed to encourage writing skills and capture the thoughts of students on patriotic subjects, this year’s theme was What Does it Mean to Love Your Country? Judging criteria for the maximum 300-word essay included originality, development of theme, mechanics and neatness.


Winners were from Kristin Patton’s and Valarie Sockriter's fifth-grade classes at Milton Elementary School.

First place went to Daisy Hughes. Sophie Sockriter won second place and Devin Studie won third place. These students will be recognized at the Flag Day ceremony in June at Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge in Lewes.

The winners will also progress to the district-level contest with hopes of advancing to the naming of national winners at the Elks Grand Lodge Session in Atlanta in July. This national contest gives schoolchildren the opportunity to express their views on patriotism, and their respect and love of country, and what they can do to become better citizens of the United States of America.

Cape Henlopen Elks members congratulate this year’s winners and appreciate the opportunity to promote Americanism at its best among local youth.