St. Ben students win essay contest

 St. Benedict School sixth graders Cai Brevig and Meredith Toussaint have been recognized by Iowa Elk's Club members for winning a statewide essay contest called the "Our Flag - What it Means to Me."

Last fall Brevig and Toussaint participated in the contest, along with 1,400 other sixth graders across the state.  Cai's and Meredith's essays were first chosen as local winners at the Decorah Elk's Lodge, then were picked at the district level and then won the state contest.  Brevig and Toussaint were invited to the state Elk's convention to read their winning essays.  Both received an award check and a plague of recognition.

This is the 28th year of the Elk's Americanism flag essay contest.  This is only the second time that both the boy and girl have come from the same town, school, and class.

Photo: St. Benedict School 6th grader Cai Brevig, Elk's essay committee chair Joe Downey, St. Benedict School 6th grader Meredith Toussaint and 2014 State Elk's President Dan and Darlene Olson from Sioux City.