Mayor Dennis Estok acknowledged the winners of this year’s “What Christmas Means to Me” essay contest at Tuesday night’s Knox City Council meeting.
He said there were approximately 120 essays submitted from 6th graders and about 280 from 4th and 5th grade students. Ten essays were chosen from each grade, resulting in thirty essays being reviewed to find the contest winners. Out of those essays, 1 grand prize winner and 9 finalists were selected.
All of the essay winners have a chance to play a part in the Peppermint Parade this weekend. Mayor Estok explained, “The grand prize winner, Bryce Yankauskas, he’s a sixth grader, he will help light the Christmas tree Saturday at five o’clock.” He went on to list the finalists saying, “Fourth grade was Amelia Brackman, Jianna Allport, Andreea Angyalosy,and Rylan Jordan. Fifth grade was Peyton Sponaugle and Portland Minix and sixth grade was Rowan Jordan, Tylor Griggs and Ellah Fairchild.”
Mayor Estok said all of the winners will ride on the fire truck during the parade which will start at 3 p.m. He also took some time to thank the dedicated teachers, principals and other community members who worked hard to review the hundreds of essays to determine the winners of the contest.
