Jocelyn Haser, a sixth-grade student at Butler Middle School, won first place in the Butler VFW Post 249 Auxiliary Illustrating America Art Contest for the grades six to eight category. Jocelyn’s entry was a drawing of an Army Jeep and POW flag, with the words “Thank You” written in English and Morse code. Submitted photo

The Illustrating America Art Contest, hosted by the VFW Auxiliary, was open to students across the nation in kindergarten through eighth grade enrolled in public, private, parochial or home school programs. Entries are submitted to local VFW Auxiliary posts for the first round of judging. Winning entries then move on to be judged at the state level, which determines who moves on to the national level.

First-, second- and third-place winners selected through the Butler VFW Post 249 Auxiliary won gift cards to Michaels. All students who participated in the 2022 Illustrating America Art Contest via the VFW Post 249 Auxiliary received a certificate and coupons for one free game of bowling at Family Bowlaway and a free item from the new Dairy Queen on New Castle Road.

From left, Butler Catholic School’s kindergartner Allison Jordan, second-grader Gunnar Hammonds and first-grader Dash Bicker won third, second, and first place respectively in the Butler VFW Post 249 Auxiliary Illustrating America Art Contest for the kindergarten through second-grade category. Submitted photo

From left, Butler Catholic School’s third-grader Madelyn Miklavic and fourth-grader Gianna Jungling won third and second place respectively in the art contest for the grades three to five category. Submitted photo

Breydon Kisner, a fifth-grade student at Center Avenue Community School, won first place for the Butler VFW Post 249 Auxiliary Illustrating America Art Contest for the grades three to five category. Breydon’s entry depicted the United States with the words “America is the Best Place!” written over top. Submitted photo

Butler Catholic School seventh-graderJackson Jungling won second place in the contest for the grades six to eight category. Eighth-grader Jacob Hauser (not pictured) from Butler Catholic School won third place. Submitted photo

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Rachel Ledford of Butler was recently initiated into the Grove City College Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. The society welcomed 578 new initiates from 25 universities in March.

Students initiated into the society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

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Nathaniel Willison of Slippery Rock received a second-place open class award at Youngstown State University’s annual Greek Sing event. Willison is a junior majoring in mathematics at YSU.