PTA Citizenship Writing Award Winners Honored

The Shawnee Mission Board of Education and Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) recognized student honorees from the PTA Citizenship Writing Program prior to the February 14 Board of Education meeting.

Using the theme, “I Will Make The World A Better Place By…” student entries were submitted in essay or poem form. 

During a reception, honorees were congratulated for their accomplishments in writing and presented with medals and journals to encourage future writings.

Award of Excellence winners have advanced to Kansas PTA for state judging. Those results will be announced in April.

The Citizenship Program is sponsored by Kansas PTA encouraging writing for students in fifth through 12th grade. The 2021-2022 statewide theme was submitted by Elizabeth Barnes, a student at Westridge Middle School. The Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA (SMAC PTA) leads the opportunity for students in the SMSD.

Here is a look at this year’s honorees:

Award of Excellence

Harper Fieser, Westwood View, 5^th grade essay
Harper Weast, Tomahawk, 5^th grade poem
Aiden Smith, Pawnee, 6^th grade essay
Caroline Bowen, Westwood View, 6^th grade poem
Ash Farris, Indian Hills, 7^th grade essay
Gracie Carson, Indian Hills, 7^th grade poem
Nathan Mestel, Westridge, 8^th grade essay
Hannah Clark, Indian Woods, 8^th grade poem
Lexie Johnson, SM South, 9^th grade essay
Abby Dumont, SM South, 9^th grade poem
Bryce Bean, SM West, 10^th grade essay
William Siegel, SM South, 11^th grade essay
Morgan Tate, SM Northwest, 11^th grade poem
Jack Shaw, SM South, 12^th grade essay
Campbell Wood, SM East, 12^th grade poem

Award of Merit

Lyla Speicher, Belinder, 5^th grade essay
Evelyn Stidham, Highlands, 5^th grade poem
Aubrey Armour, Christa McAuliffe, 6^th grade essay
Elijah Marquez, Santa Fe Trail, 6^th grade poem