Chester students presented awards

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[During the 90th Annual Convention of the American Legion Auxiliary held in Springfield July 14-17, many youth were present to receive awards from Department President Julia Moore. Among those attending were two students from Chester who were presented their awards for the Americanism Essay Contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, the American Legion, and the Sons of the American Legion.

Eddie Kerkhover, son of Ed and Rhonda Kerkhover and a student of the CHEST Home School, received a first place monetary award in the Class II competition for 9th and 10th grade students at the State level. Mollie Laramore, daughter of Jeff and Vicki Laramore and a senior at Chester High School, received a third place monetary award in the Class III competition for 11th and 12th grade students. Both students were accompanied by their parents and other family members to Springfield. Chester Unit Americanism Chairman Carolyn Schwent congratulates these students on their accomplishment and for representing the Chester Unit once again. During the years, the Chester Unit has sponsored several winners at the state convention. Ms. Schwent is proud of the numbers of Chester students who enter the essay competition and thanks their teachers for encouraging their students to participate.

Scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to 22 students representing several different areas of competition. The Chester Unit welcomed the news that Rachel Duensing, one of their Junior members, was also a scholarship recipient.

Members from the Chester American Legion Auxiliary Unit 487 who attended the convention as delegates included: Rudelle Rahlfs, Hilda Fey, Farida Hollaway and Betty Wagner. Delegates totaling 350 from throughout the state represented their units. New officers for the 2010-2011 year were elected and were installed following adjournment of the convention. President elect is Pam Ray from Springfield who served as First Vice President the past year.