CENTER TWP — Catherine Simms, 11, the daughter of Paul and Mary Cole Simms, won first place in the Elks Club statewide essay contest for "What America Means to Me."

Catherine, who will be in the sixth grade at Center Township Elementary School and is in the National Young Scholars program, will read her essay at a Flag Day ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday at Father Marinaro Park in Butler.

Her father said the contest was presented as a challenge to Catherine's fifth grade class.

He said she won second place at the local judging round and the top three essays were sent to Harrisburg for a statewide judging.

"It's unusual to have a local statewide winner," he said, "because the last one was in the '80s."

Catherine received a $100 savings bond and a certificate, and her essay will advance to the national contest.