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Americanism Essay Contest

A program of the Elks’ Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee, this contest is geared towards students in 5th through 8th grades to promote patriotism among young people.

“What Does Patriotism Mean To Me?”

Use this as the core theme of your essay.

• Eligible participants must be Students enrolled in the 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grade at the time of the contest.
• Essay length is not to exceed 300 words.
• Essay must be typed or legibly printed in ink. Also, Essay must be submitted as written (or typed)  by the entrant.
• Essay must be submitted for judging to the Elks Lodge nearest to the address of the entrant.
• Participant must be identified by name, grade, school attending and sponsoring Elks Lodge on the Essay.

Plaques will be awarded by the Grand Lodge for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place for national winning essays in each grade level. Monetary awards will be disbursed for each grade level for 1st-$1,000, 2nd-$500, and 3rd-$250 place. Winners will be announced at the Grand Lodge Convention in July.

Application Packet

Click the large button below to download the application materials. All applications must include the coverpage to identify the student and local Elks Lodge it is submitted to. Essay should be submitted to your nearest local Elks Lodge on/before December 15, 2024.

Americanism Essay Application Packet

Illinois Elks Association

May 2, 2024

2024 Essay Contest

Americanism Essay Contest Flora Lodge #1659 Wins 1st Place!

Huge new from the Elks Americanism front:

A while back we reported the Flora Elks Americanism Essay contest winners, including three submitted by our Lodge who won awards all the way to the State Level, one first at state, one second at state, and one third at state. The first place winner’s essay, submitted by Halle Snell, moved on to the national competition.

Well, we received word last night that the essay submitted by the state to the national competition was selected as the first place winner. Halle’s family has been notified. She will receive a $1000 check from the National Elks, as well as recognition at the National Convention this July. And, I am pretty sure she will be make the Elks magazine. A job well done.

Special thanks to the Elks Americanism Essay evaluators (Sharla Todd, Judy Richars), ER Cory Hodges, Photographer John Baylor, Jordan Baird and newsletter developer Nicole Heath. Also a special thanks to the school administrations, the teachers, the parents.

This is a repost of the text on Facebook by Tony Richars

May 2, 2024 at 1:28 pm

Congratulations Hallie and Olney

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Americanism Essay Contest Open

A program of the Elks’  Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee , this contest is geared towards students in 5th through 8th grades to promote patriotism among young people. Click here to Download Application Packet . Theme is “What does Patriotism mean to me”.

• At the time of the contest, eligible participants must be Students enrolled in one of these four divisions: I—5th grade; II—6th grade; III—7th grade; or IV—8th grade.
• Essay length is not to exceed 300 words.
• Essay must be typed or legibly printed in ink. Also, Essay must be submitted as written (or typed) by the entrant.
• Essay must be submitted for judging to the Elks Lodge nearest to the address of the entrant.
• Participant must be identified by name, grade, school attending and sponsoring Elks Lodge on the Essay.

Plaques will be awarded by Grand Lodge for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place for national winning essays in Divisions I, II, III, and IV. Monetary awards will be disbursed for each grade level for 1st Place—$1,000; 2nd Place—$500; and 3rd Place—$250. Winners will be announced at the Grand Lodge Session.

Application Packet

Click the large button to the right of this year’s theme to download the application materials. All applications must include the cover page to identify the student and local Elks Lodge it is submitted to. Essay should be submitted to your nearest local Elks Lodge on/before December 15, 2024.

https://www.elks.org/programs/americanism.cfm

Americanism Committee

The Goals of Americanism

    The ambition and goal of the Americanism Program is to quicken the spirit of American patriotism and to stimulate an awareness – a genuine feeling of pride and respect toward patriotism – so that we as members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will become constant reminders to the people of our Nation that America truly means freedom and t hat

Elks CARE and Elks SHARE 

    Each member of the fraternal Order of Elks pledged that we would support and promote the major principles that govern our Order.  These pillars of Elkdom are Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity.  These guiding principles sustain our Order as the largest fraternal and charitable organization in the United States.  

    Promoting patriotism has been a continuing goal of the Order of Elks that has influenced our nation’s presidents and elected congressional representatives.  Beginning in the late 1970’s concerted effort was given to   recognize “National Patriotism Week” of which the Order of Elks played an influential role.  President Ronald Reagan made official proclamations for National Patriotism Week.  Through his efforts and those of our Order in 1981 National Patriotism Week commenced and was to be celebrated during the third week in February.    In 2002, President George Bush proclaimed September 11th to be Patriots Day to honor the men and women who were killed in the September 11attacks on our country.  Presiden t Obama rededicated it in 2009 as Patriots Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.

    The Order of Elks is distinctly American.  Patriotic values links the destiny of our Order with the destiny of our country and we have made the Flag of  our nation the symbol of the crowning virtue.

Programs of Americanism

    The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks proudly sponsors the traditions of Patriotism.  Many programs and events that celebrate our American way of life are traditions in each Lodge.  Some of these programs are the Flag Day program, the Americanism Essay Contest, the Certificate of Honor for Properly Flying the Flag, Veterans Services, honor new American citizens, honor citizens for their service to the community, promote National Patriotism Week, and to design and maintain a Heritage display in each Lodge that focuses on the principles of Americanism and patriotic values. 

Featured Americanism Programs

    The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is the first and only fraternal organization to require the formal observance of Flag Day.  The purpose of this service is to honor our Country’s Flag, to celebrate the anniversary of its birth, and to recall the achievements beneath its folds.  It is appropriate that this service should be held by the Order of Elks, an organization that is distinctly American, intensely patriotic and without counterpart.

    Our nation’s Flag, the most recognizable symbol, of our country, is both a declaration and a prophecy.  It represents the American nation as it was at its birth; it speaks for what it is today; and it holds the opportunity for the future to add other stars to the glorious constellation.  This glorious banner of 13 stripes of red and white and a constellation of stars each of which represents a state in our country is our official banner recognized throughout the world.  

    Our nation’s “National Anthem” had its origin during the War of 1812 when our growing country’s flag flew over Fort McHenry, in Baltimore Harbor, on September 14, 1814.  It was during this battle, when the rockets red blare lit up the night sky gave proof throughout the night that our Flag was still there that inspired Francis Scott Kay to write his famous poem the “Star Spangled Banner” that we know as our National Anthem.   

    The Benevolent an d Protective Order of Elks is the first and only body to require the formal observance of “Flag Day”.  In July of 1908, the Grand Lodge of the Order, at its convention in Dallas, Texas provided for the annual nationwide observance of Flag Day by making it mandatory for each subordinate Lodge of the Order to honor our Flag with a formal ceremony that occurs annually on June 14th.

    The greatest significance of our Flag is the influence it has in the hearts and minds of millions of people, not only in our nation, but throughout the world.  

Americanism Essay Contest

    The Essay Contest is a program that engages students in writing an essay that addresses a patriotic theme.  Each year the Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee identifies a theme for the essay and students throughout the United States write essays that address the theme.  The essays are judged and recognition is given to the students for their writing skill, their articulation of the topic and their patriotic values.

    The Essay Contest is organized into four Divisions.  Division I represents grade 5; Division II represents grade 6; Division III represents grade 7 and Division IV represents grade 8. The Americanism Committee in each local Lodge works with the schools, within their jurisdiction, to encourage student participation. 

    In Pennsylvania several hundred essays are written by 5th through 8th grade students. The judging of the essays is conducted in the following manner:  The essays are judged at the local Lodge and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each Division are submitted to the District Americanism Committee.  There are eight Elk Districts in the state of Pennsylvania.  The essays are judged again at the District level and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winning essays are submitted to the state Americanism Committee for final judging.  The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winning essays are identified for each Division (grade) for a total of 12 winning essays in the state.  

    It has been our tradition to honor the 1st Place Winners by inviting them to be our guests at the state convention where they read their essay and receive a beautifully engraved plaque.  In addition to presenting their essay at the convention their essay is entered into the national competition conducted by the Fraternal Committee of Grand Lodge.  The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in this contest receive monetary awards of $1,000.00, $500.00 and $250.00 respectively.  The winners are announced at the Grand Lodge Convention in July.  

    Students whose essays were judged to be second and third place award winners are honored by their sponsoring Lodge.  A beautifully engraved plaque is awarded to each student.

    The members of the Americanism Committee of the Pennsylvania Elks State Association express their appreciation to the many educators and school administrators for their support and participation in the Americanism Essay Contest program.

Certificate of Honor for Properly Flying the Flag

    A hallmark of Americanism in the Order of Elks is Patriotism.  We have linked the destiny of our Order with the destiny of our country and have made our Flag the symbol of the crowning virtue.  As loyal Elks we accept and dedicate ourselves to preserving, honoring and defending all it represents as our nation’s most recognizable emblem worldwide.

    Recognizing American citizens, businesses and civic organizations that honor our Flag by flying it properly is a cornerstone of Elkdom.  We honor these individuals and organizations by awarding our Certificate of Honor for Properly Flying the Flag.   

    Under the leadership of the Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee and the Americanism Committee in each Elk Lodge we promote and build a sense of national pride, patriotism and good community relations.  Awarding the Certificate of Honor has a profound impact for building good community relationships. 

    A goal of the state Americanism Committee is to reach a 100% participation of all Elks Lodges in Pennsylvania to award at least one Certificate of Honor during the Lodge year.  

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2022-23 Americanism Essay Contest Winners

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Introducing The Laswell Award

Past State President Ed Boyle and State Americanism Chairman Lance Gustin are pleased to announce the formation of a new State Americanism Award that will be presented each year at the spring convention. This award is inspired from the Red Skelton Hour, January 14, 1969. He tells the story of a teacher he had who was also the principal of Harrison school, in Vincennes, Indiana, Mr. Laswell.

Mr. Laswell spoke about how Monotonous the kids had become in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance all semester. He then recited it and explained the meaning of each word. I – me, an individual, a committee of one. Pledge – dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity. Allegiance – my love and my devotion. To the Flag [of the] our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there’s respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody’s job. United – that means that we have all come together. States – [of America] individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that’s love for country.

And to the Republic For Which It Stands. Republic – a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it’s from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people. One Nation One Nation- meaning, so blessed by God. Indivisible – incapable of being divided. With Liberty – which is freedom, the right of power to live ones own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation. And Justice-the principle or qualities of dealing fairly with others. For All – For all … which means, boys and girls, it’s as much your country as it is mine.

And now boys and girls let me hear you recite, the Pledge of Allegiance?” “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance – “under God.” Wouldn’t it be a pity if someone said, “That is a prayer,” and that would be eliminated from schools, too?” -Red Skelton

This award will be presented to an educator or school administrator who teaches their students love of country through the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. Imparting the values that our Country holds dear to our hearts and those taught by Hoosier educators such as Red Skelton’s, Mr. Laswell.

The nominees should embody the spirit of Mr. Laswell’s love of Country, and what the pledge stands for. The winner will be selected by a panel of three (3) Indiana Elks who will review the nominations and select the appropriate winner. The Educator will receive a plaque and check for $100.00. The winner will be announced at our Spring Convention following the Flag Day Ceremony.

Laswell Award Application

Download application for a nomination and consideration for the Indiana Elks Association State Americanism Laswell Award. Please include the application and a brief paragraph describing what the teacher or administrator does to embody the spirit of Mr. Laswell.

Flag Day is June 14th.

Americanism essay contest.

“What Does Patriotism Mean To Me?”

The features introduced to the contest 2 years ago continue: 1) Four separate divisions for 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade students. 2) Awards for Each Grade Level — $1,000 for 1st; $500 for 2nd; $250 for 3rd.

I am pleased to announce that the Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee has selected the theme, “What Does Patriotism Mean To Me?” for the 2024-2025 Grand Lodge Americanism Essay Contest. The contest starts with the Local Lodges, progresses through District and State levels, and ends with the naming of our National Winners at the Grand Lodge Session in Kansas City, Missouri in July 2025. This contest gives students in four separate grade levels, grades 5-8, the opportunity to thoughtfully, evaluate and express their views on the selected annual theme. Nationally, first-place, second-place and third-place authors in each division will receive monetary awards of $1,000, $500, and $250 respectfully. Many Lodges, Districts and State Associations also provide various forms of recognition to their respective winners, and the Fraternal Committee appreciates and encourages their extraordinary efforts in support of the contest.

Contest materials including the “annual contest theme” are published online on May 1. Lodges are encouraged to communicate with school officials in a timely fashion to facilitate annual curriculum planning. Contest materials and a fillable Certificate of Participation for Lodge completion are located at: https://www.elks.org/grandlodge/fraternal/downloads.cfm. This contest is vitally important to Elks as it promotes Americanism in our local communities. It encourages 10-13 year old students to thoughtfully consider American values and appreciate the blessings and responsibilities of citizenship. The Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee is committed to assisting you in promoting Americanism. Please let us know what we can do to be more helpful!

Mark E. Eaton, Administrator Americanism Essay Contest Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee

How to fly the United States flag by Ronald A. Brooks

Our flag is the emblem of our identity as a sovereign nation, which the United States of America has been for nearly 250 years.

In 1942, Congress passed a joint resolution that encompassed what became the U.S. Flag Code, which involves how citizens should behave around the flag of the United States, and ways in which the flag should be shown proper respect.

The United States Flag Code—Chapter 5 of Title 4 of the United States Code (4 U.S.C. § 5 et seq)—states:

• No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America. The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, state flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
• The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of distress or instances of extreme danger to life or property.
• The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
• The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
• The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red should always be arranged with the blue above, white in the middle, and the red below.

When to display the American Flag

The flag may be displayed on any day of the year, but there are guidelines to follow.

It is customary to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on flagpoles in the open. It is also acceptable to display the flag at night if it is illuminated. The flag should not be displayed on days with inclement weather.

The flag should be flown on the major federal and cultural holidays, and days that honor our country, our military, and our veterans, such as Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May), Constitution Day (September 17), and Navy Day (October 27).

The flag should be displayed at every public institution, near every polling place on election days, and at schools during school days.

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