Student Awards Hemler

Three students from Hemlock Middle School in Hemlock have been named local winners in the 54th 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 Isabelle Hutfliz, first, and Colton Siler, second, and Ryleigh Bain, third. All three received award certificates for their achievement. As the school's first-place winner, Isabelle's name will also be engraved on a plaque for permanent display in the school. 

Isabelle's first-place essay now advances to the state-level competition, from which the top ten essays in Michigan will be selected. The top 10 statewide winners, who will be announced in April, will each receive a plaque, a medallion, and a cash award of $1,000. Farm Bureau Insurance will also be presenting each top ten statewide school with a $1,000 check, along with an additional $500 if the school was sponsored by a Farm Bureau Insurance agent. 

The traditional annual America & Me Essay Contest Awards Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Lansing. The top 10 students and their teachers from across the state will be invited to participate in the day-long group recognitions. In the event we are not able to meet in person, the students still receive their awards and recognitions for their commendable achievements. 

Several thousand eighth-grade students from nearly 200 Michigan schools participated in the 2022 2023 America & Me Essay Contest, which was conducted with the help of Farm Bureau Insurance agents across the state. The topic of the 2022-2023 contest was "My Personal Michigan Hero." Isabelle should take great pride in advancing to the state-level competition. 

A team of finalist judges, including a top Michigan government official as well as the sponsoring teachers of last year's top two statewide winners, will determine the ranking of the top ten statewide winners this year. 

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