Strathmore Legion awarding students for their remembrance contest submissions

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

The Strathmore Royal Canadian Legion Branch #10 recognized the winners of its annual poster, poem and essay contest on Feb. 26, inviting the winners and their families to the facility to be awarded. 

Jenny Schumann, membership chair of the Strathmore Legion, said there were 23 winners who were recognized during the brief ceremony, from a total of 45 entries across their categories and age groups. 

In each category, first, second and third place winners were recognized. 

“What goes on is, teachers let their students know (this is happening) and kind of guide them on putting down their thoughts on remembrance and what it means to them,” explained Schumann.

For the students who claimed first place in their categories, their entries will continue forward to compete for recognition at the district, regional and national levels.

Should a contestant make it to second place at the national level, their work will be put on display in the National War Museum, while the national first place entry will hang in the Peace Tower at the Parliament building.

There have previously been students from Strathmore who came in first and second at the national level, though Schumann did not name them.

“These contests have been going for probably 50 years. There’s a long history here. We used to go to the schools (to award finalists) and as some of our veterans and volunteers have passed on and we’ve had to retrain … some of them are a little shy to go to the schools,” added Schumann. “We thought this way, we can bring all the students and grandparents and whoever they like (to have with them) to the Legion and everyone can see their accomplishment.”

For the students, Schumann said the contest is not only an opportunity to win a sum of cash or a way to get their work on display, but it is a learning experience to keep the memory of Canada’s veterans alive.

Compared to previous years, the number of entries into the contest was down this year, as Schumann explained the legion did not advertise as much as they typically do. 

“For the community, I think it’s great. I think for the community … we cannot forget our veterans, especially with what’s going on today,” she said. “I think that it gives them something to strive for. When the students get these cheques and certificates that they’re presented, we are hoping that it will keep the memory alive and maybe (encourage) them to enter again.”

Student winners were presented with a certificate, a ceramic poppy and a cheque for their work. Should a student continue to be successful in contest, further prize money is awarded at the higher levels.