Members of Colton Amvets, back, from left, Grace Hawley, Auxiliary 2nd VP and Bill Miller, 2nd VP, and right, Mary Long, Auxiliary Secretary, pose with the winners of the annual Americanism contests at Colton-Pierrepont Central School.

COLTON -- Colton Amvets Auxiliary Post 262 has announced the winners of its contest for the Colton-Pierrepont School students.

The contest asks children in different grades to write an essay, make a poster, or draw an American flag.

Kindergarteners and first-graders drew flags. First place among kindergarteners was won by Hailey Williamson, second place by Ryelee Rutaauskas; first grade, first place Cane Ashlaw, second place Jessica Harman.

The theme for drawings from students in second through fifth grades was "I am proud to be an American because..." Second grade: first place Matilyn Lovely, second place Alannah Long; third grade, first place Trenton Trahan, second place Eli Thomas; fourth grade, first place Jedediah Labrake, second place Victoria "Torrie" Hamilton; fifth grade, first place Grace Rousell, second place Schuyler Chamberlain.

The theme for students in sixth through 12th grades was writing essays on "I am proud to be an American because..." Sixth grade first place Brandi Boyce, no second place; 10th grade, first place Katherine Miller, second place Andrea Aldous; 12th grade first place Brooke Ramsey, no 2nd place.