RUMFORD -The Maine Elks Association hosted the annual state convention at Sugarloaf/USA recently, when youth were honored a banquet and awards ceremony.

Rumford Lodge had a winner in the Americanism essay contest. Christine Briggs of Mountain Valley Middle School took first place in the grades seven and eight division. The theme was “What is an American?”

Briggs said in her essay, “An American is someone who has respect for the country that we live in. An American helps other people who are less fortunate than we are.” She also said she is proud to be an American.

Attending from the Rumford Lodge were Donald Richard, Kurt Pitts, Suzanne Merrill, Dick and Sandee Welch, David and Debi Briggs, Richie and Tammy Philbrick, George Wyman and Linda Brackett.