West Middle School eighth grader Treshawn Roberts is this year’s local winner of the Americanism Essay Contest sponsored by the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lima Lodge 54.
Students around the county were invited to write about “Why Our Veterans Are America’s Heroes.”
Treshawn’s essay spoke of veterans who willingly put their lives in danger to protect their country and its freedoms. He specifically wrote of his late grandfather, remembering the 21-gun salute he received at his funeral.
“Like all veterans,” he wrote. “He was willing to give the ultimate sacrifice and that is what a true hero does.”
It was important for Treshawn to honor his grandfather in his essay.
“I wanted to remember that he fought for us,” he said. “He really meant a lot to me.”
Treshawn will be honored at the Elks Youth Banquet. He will be honored again at the May 10 Lima School Board meeting. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at West.
“I was excited when my mom told me,” he said of winning the contest. “We sat down and talked about it for awhile. My mom was very proud of me.”
Treshawn is the son of Tracie Roberts and Shawn White. He is a member of the Builders Club, Quiz Bowl and bowling team at West. He’s looking forward to Lima Senior High School, where he plans to continue in Quiz Bowl.
Science is Treshawn’s favorite subject and he is already thinking about a career in engineering.