Nina Leuschner and a student teach the real meaning of the Pledge	Alton Leuschner participated in the Veterans in the Classroom segment of the program.
A student tells about their family member that has served our country	Nina Leuschner reads the winning essay written by Hollyn Walker

Teachers (left to right) Ms Chudej; Ms Evans; Ms Nering; Ms Collinsworth; Ms Colclasure; Ms Brown; Ms Engel; Ms Fowler and Ms Killough	Americanism Chrm, Mary Hueske presents the school with a Flag in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the Essay Program at Robinson Elementary
1st Place winners - Teachers - Auxiliary and Post members	Auxiliay and Post members with Hollyn Walker - local winner

James A. Edmond American Legion Auxiliary Unit 121 in Waco hosted their 10th annual Essay contest with Robinson Elementary School May 10, 2011. The national theme this year was “How Can I Encourage My Friends to Show Pride in Being an American” and approx. 165 3rd grade students participated.
The Americanism committee at Unit 121 selected 5 winners from each classroom to receive awards at the local level, which included 1st, 2nd, 3rd places and two honorable mentions. One essay was chosen at the local level from the 1st place winners and was forwarded to the State Americanism Chairman for competition. From all the state entries received, the State Americanism committee chooses one winner to be entered into the Nat’l competition for overall “Best Essay.” Hollyn Walker's essay was forwarded to State for competition. GOOD LUCK Hollyn!!
Mary Hueske, Americanism Chrm., Unit 121, started the essay program at Robinson Elementary with the help of two dedicated 3rd grade teachers, Ms Nering and Ms Evans. The program started out small with only the presentation of the local awards and had only two classes participating, but has now grown to include 9 classes, the video “United We Stand,” a Veterans in the Classroom section, and a “Meet my Military Family Member” section, where the students introduce the veterans in their families to the assembly with pictures and stories.
Unit 121 hopes the program continues for many years to come so American Legion Auxiliary Unit 121 can be a part of helping to educate today’s children and tomorrow’s leaders.

Hollyn Walker's Essay: “How Can I Encourage My Friends to Show Pride in Being an American”

I can encourage my friends to be proud Americans by tellin them that they're lucky we get to be free, because in some other countries they get told what to do. I can tell my friends that by standing and putting your right hand over your heart and saying the Pledge of Allegiance, you're showing kindness to America. I love to tell my friends that there are many different symbols. One of them is the bald eagle, that is our country's bird. I can tell my friend about our President. He is the one that runs our country and his name is Barack Obama. I think I should tell my friends about the soldiers and how they always fight for the people in our country. I can tell my friends that they should be happy we get to learn from teachers because some other people don't know anything. I think I should tell other people about America because of all the nice friends I have and you have.