Members of New York Elks Lodge #1 visited Waverly Park Elementary School to recognize three fifth graders who competed in the Elks 2024-2025 Americanism essay contest.
This year's topic was ‘What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?’
The students earned Certificates of Achievement and were awarded $25 gift cards for scoring in the top three in their grade, and will now advance to compete at the district level.
New York Lodge #1 is in the South District of NY State, which includes eight lodges from Staten Island to Pearl River to Lynbrook. Americanism is a program within the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and holds an annual essay contest geared towards students in fifth through eighth grades to promote patriotism among young people.