By Steve Stanec, American Legion Post 7 Commander
The American Legion, the Nation's largest wartime Veterans organization, chartered by Congress in 1919 and The American Legion Auxiliary believe America's youth should be praised when they demonstrate strong qualities of character and good citizenship.
Since 1926, students who exemplify six qualities that define character: courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service have been recognized by the Legion.
The School Award Medal is the highest honor awarded American youth by the American Legion and Auxiliary.
Awards are limited to the graduating classes because the candidates' positions are on the threshold of entrance upon a more extensive period of education or upon entrance into the wage earning world.
This Award proclaims to the world that these individuals are the kind of person that the American Legion Veterans, the comrades of men and women who gave their lives in battle, believe worthy of such honor.
From the recommendations of each respective school the American Legion and Auxiliary were privileged to honor the following students.
The American Legion Post 7 School Medal Award winners: Alliance High School, Bryson Darveau; St. Agnes Academy, Jory Matulka; Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran School, Atley Bolek; Alliance Middle School, Jackson Bailey.
The American Legion Auxiliary School Award winners: Alliance High School, Courtney Cox; St. Agnes Academy, Josie Sanders; Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran School, Avenell Soriano; Alliance Middle School, Reese Swanson.
The American Legion Post 7 Honorable Mentions: Alliance High School, Jackson Moomey; St. Agnes Academy, Luke Weems; Alliance Middle School, Ryan Swanson.
The American Legion Auxiliary Honorable Mentions: Alliance High School, Calysta Tevino; St. Agnes Academy, Abigail Louden; Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran School, Preslee Sterkel; Alliance Middle School, Jenna Messersmith.
