Mundelein High School students took first, second and third place as well as honorary placement among high school junior and senior entries in the American Legion Americanism Essay Contest. Responding to the prompt, “What The American Flag Means to Me,” students wrote 500-word essays. The national contest, in place since 1922, is co-sponsored by the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion Detachment of Illinois.

Kayla Gonzalez, Alondra Calixto, Andrea Amador and Lily Martinez earned the awards.  A panel of three judges from Mundelein’s American Legion Auxiliary #867 and the Post #867 selected the winners from 16 essay submissions. The essay for first place winner Andrea Amador is now being reviewed at the district level competing with more than 26 Lake County high school’s first place entries.

Amador was drawn to the essay when she began to realize that the flag has tremendous personal and symbolic meaning. “My parents are immigrants and the flag welcomes immigrants. Many have sacrificed their lives to protect the flag and our people. It represents opportunity for everybody, and stands for our nation’s values,” she wrote.

“The essay completed its purpose, to encourage students to reflect on the values represented in the American flag and the value of being an American citizen,” said Arlene Lolley, Auxiliary president.