Entries were down in the Chemainus Legion 191 Remembrance Day literary and poster contest, but for good reason.
“This year was significantly different since we no longer have St. Joseph’s School,” said Janet Mitchell, who has chaired the awards program for the last 15 years and calls it “one of my favourite jobs to do.”
St. Joseph’s closed last June, eliminating several potential contest entrants. Thetis Island Elementary, Chemainus Elementary and Chemainus Secondary Schools had a combined 61 entries submitted for judging this year.
Mitchell estimated about half the total number of entries previously came from St. Joseph’s students.
Awards were presented Sunday at the Chemainus Legion Hall. The Chemainus branch distributed $1,235 in prize money to the winners in the various age divisions, with more available but left unclaimed - something for others to keep in mind for next year.
“The higher you go in your grades, the more (money) you get,” noted Mitchell.
Legion president Len Lavender thanked the colour party members who led the procession into the hall and are also so instrumental in drumming up support for the program.
“These are the people that go out to the schools during Remembrance Day activities and spend a lot of time,” he said.
“Congratulations to all the winners here today accepting the awards,” Lavender added.
Richard Steele, the South Vancouver Island Zone Commander, attended the proceedings.
“It’s always a pleasure to come up and take part in the service,” he said.
Judges were: Ellen Lavender, Cathie Hamilton, Brenda Carmichael, Irene Dutton and Brittany Pickard.
Students who were winners of their categories and will have their work forwarded to the zone competition included: Brooklyn Stobbe, Hannah DuMez, Matti Bannister, Fiona Grant and Berk Bohmer.
“You people that work hard to be here, thank you, thank you, thank you,” praised Steele.
Following are the branch award winners by category:
Senior Poetry: 1. Fiona Grant (Grade 12 Chemainus Secondary); Senior Essay: 1. Berk Bohmer (Grade 11 Chemainus Secondary), 2. Katia Bannister (Grade 10 Chemainus Secondary); Senior Colour Poster: 1. Hannah DuMez (Grade 12 Chemainus Secondary), 2. Miriam Holmes (Grade 11 Chemainus Secondary).
Intermediate Poetry: 1. Micah Galbraith (Grade 7 Chemainus Elementary), 2. Kirianne Healey (Grade 7 Chemainus Elementary), 3. Keirah Giles (Grade 7 Chemainus Elementary); Intermediate Black and White Poster: 1. Brooklyn Stobbe (Grade 8 Chemainus Secondary), 2. Kirianne Healey (Grade 7 Chemainus Elementary); Intermediate Colour Poster: 1. Brooklyn Stobbe (Grade 8 Chemainus Secondary), 2. Ashley Leoffen (Grade 7 Chemainus Elementary), 3. Andrew Wilson (Grade 7 Chemainus Elementary).
Junior Poetry: 1. Matthias Bannister (Grade 5 Thetis Island Elementary), 2. Kennadie Sheppard (Grade 6 Chemainus Elementary), 3. Kai Kasting (Grade 5 Thetis Island Elementary); Junior Black and White Poster: 1. Ruby DuMez (Grade 6 Chemainus Elementary), 2. Rhiana Rochon (Grade 6 Chemainus Elementary), 3. Kaelyn Kennewell (Grade 5 Chemainus Elementary); Junior Colour Poster: 1. Hannah Poole (Grade 6 Chemainus Elementary), 2. Hannah Douglas (Grade 6 Chemainus Elementary), 3. Cameron Healey (Grade 6 Chemainus Elementary).
Primary Colour Poster: 1. Lucas Bieber (Grade 3 Thetis Island Elementary), 2. Aubrey Gall (Grade 2 Thetis Island Elementary), 3. Ella Kasting (Grade 1 Thetis Island Elementary).