Three students from Ring Lardner Junior High School in Niles have been named local winners in the 45th annual America & Me Essay Contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.

The three students, who earned the first, second, and third place awards for their school, are Julia Kosten, first, Alec Janowski, second, and Olivia Bella, third.  All three received award certificates for their achievement.  As the school’s first place winner, Julia’s name will also be engraved on a plaque for permanent display in the school.

Ring Lardner Junior High School’s participation in the America & Me Essay Contest was sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Tony Gadieski of Niles.

Julia’s first place essay now advances to the state level competition, from which the top ten essays in Michigan will be selected.  The top ten statewide winners, who will be announced in April, will each receive a plaque, a medallion and a cash award of $1,000.  In addition, the top ten essayists will be honored at a banquet in Lansing, meet with Michigan’s top governmental leaders, and be the featured guests at a Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball game dedicated in their honor.

A team of finalist judges that includes a top Michigan Government official and the sponsoring teachers of last year’s top two statewide winners will determine the ranking of the top ten statewide winners this year.

Several thousand eighth grade students from over 450 Michigan schools participated in the 2012-2013 America & Me Essay Contest, which was conducted with the help of Farm Bureau Insurance agents across the state.  The topic of the 2013-2014 contest was “My Personal Michigan Hero.”

Started in 1968 and open to all Michigan eighth grade students, the contest encourages Michigan youngsters to explore the greatness of America and its people.  As a sponsor of the contest, Farm Bureau Insurance has earned 11 national awards from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.