On Feb. 3, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 hosted a buffet luncheon for the winners of the Americanism essay contest. This year’s theme was “What Makes you Proud to be an American.” Ray Peetz, Lodge Americanism Chairman, introduced the winners of the 2019 contest, all of whom were from Pine View School in Sarasota, Fla. – first-place winner, Sidney Brann; second-place winner, Oleg Frankowski; and third-place winner, Emily Fung. He shared with them “What it means to be an Elk” from the Elks creed and thanked the winners for their participation. He also shared audio of Red Skelton’s famous definition of each word of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Pictured at Sarasota South Lodge’s awards luncheon for Americanism essay contest winners are Richard Bouchard, Exalted Ruler; Emily Fung, third-place winner; Fran Squires, teacher; Sidney Brann, first-place winner; Ray Peetz, Lodge Americanism Chairman, and Sue Fair, assistant principal.