ROCKLAND – The Maine Elks Association honored several youths from across the state on May 6 as part of the 77th annual state convention. The youths were recognized as state winners of contests sponsored by the association. The awards were presented at a special banquet, attended by more than 300 members, guests and families of the recipients.

The first awards presented were for the Elks Americanism Essay Contest. The contest was open to fifth- through eighth-graders who wrote a 200-word essay on “What I Feel When I Look up at the American Flag.”

Presenting the awards were state Americanism Director Richie Philbrick and state President Elmer Berry.

Winners were Alyson Roy, Biddeford-Saco Elks; Elizabeth Tangncy, Biddeford-Saco Elks; Bryant Perkins, Sanford Elks; and Kyle Kohler, Lewiston Elks. Each received a plaque with their essay engraved upon it, along with a monetary award. More than several hundred students participated in the program.

The drug awareness contests winners were honored. There were three contests: a coloring contest for third-graders, a poster contest for fourth-graders, and an essay contest for grade five. The overall theme was “Why Illegal Drugs Can Ruin Your Life.” Presenting the awards was state Drug Awareness Director Frank Ricker.

Coloring contest winners were Rachel Martin, Old Town Elks; Bailey Dyer, Rumford Elks; poster winners, Courtney Blouin, Rumford Elks, and Liam Robertson, Skowhegan-Madison Elks; and essay winners, Shyla Cyr, Millinocket Elks, and Ben Clement, Skowhegan-Madison Elks.

For more information on the Elks, visit www.elks.org or a local Elks lodge.