Ironwood names local essay contest winners

IRONWOOD - Three Ironwood eighth grade students were named the local winners of the 45th annual America and Me Essay Contest recently.

Angelina Jarvi placed first in the event, while MaKenzie Marshall and Madison Clausen placed second and third.

All three received award certificates, and Jarvi's name will be engraved on a plaque for permanent display Luther L. Wright School in Ironwood.

The topic for the 2013-'14 essay was "My Personal Michigan Hero." Jarvi wrote about her mother, Marshall wrote about basketball star Magic Johnson and Madison Clausen wrote about a horse jockey named Julie Krone.

The contest is open to all Michigan eighth graders. English teacher Megan Maki said the assignment was optional, with eight Ironwood students submitting stories.

Jarvi isn't done yet, however. Her piece advances to the state level competition, and the top 10 will be selected.

The top 10 will receive $1,000, a plaque, medallion and an invitation to attend a banquet in Lansing. In addition, the winners will also be featured guests at a Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball game.

Statewide winners will be announced in April.

Jarvi, Clausen and Marshall said they thought the contest was fun.

"Creative writing is the best," Clausen said.

For Maki, she is very proud of the students.

"They submitted these stories at the beginning of the year, so they had these writing skills from the beginning," Maki said. "I'm really proud of all of them."

According to Jarvi, she just loves to write.

"This was a lot of fun," Jarvi said. "Anytime we get to write something, I love it."