Theta Chapter of The Delta Kappa Society International recently announced its chapter’s seventh and eighth grade essay contest winners in the Oklahoma State Organization’s (OSO) statewide essay contest.

Winners were:

Eighth grade – Afton Shirey, Okarche, first place; Rylie Bomhoff, Okarche, second place; Caden Schieber, Okarche, third place.

Seventh grade – Kate Myers, Lomega, first place; Ella Reherman, Okarche, second place; Avery Schieber, Okarche, third place.

The essay theme for the 2019-2020 contest was: “In the spirit of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and its theme – ‘Transforming the World’ – how can you individually encourage the acceptance of others?”

Theta Chapter does an excellent job of honoring both the students and teachers, but due to the COVID-19, the celebration had to be canceled,” said Beth Schieber, past OSO president and OSO editor.

“However, these young students and their exceptional teachers are to be congratulated, the students for writing and the teachers for their encouragement and dedication.”

Seventh grade teachers of the winners were Whitney Hauser at Lomega and Traci Fuller at Okarche.

The eighth grader winners’ teacher was Lyndal Westmoreland of Okarche.

The winning essays from chapters across Oklahoma are sent to the state essay committee to be judged by committee members. First and second place in both seventh and eighth grades are awarded.

These students, their parents, and teachers are invited to the state convention or conference to be honored and for the students to read their essays before event attendees.

Theta Chapter will submit Myers’ and Shirey’s essays to the OSO state level competition for judging.

“As a past state president, I experienced one of those rare and special ‘moments to remember,’” Schieber said. “During my OSO presidential biennium, 1995-1997, I had a dream to promote writing in our state, so I created an essay contest for seventh and eighth grade students.

“Little did I know this essay contest would touch me in such a personal way.”

Caden Schieber is her oldest grandson and Avery Schieber her granddaughter.

Each year the essay question changes to include topics that reflect the world in which today’s youth must live.

The essay contest of the OSO of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International gives young students competitive writing experience and an audience. “It is a pleasure to honor

“It is a pleasure to honor students and teachers and to see the world through the eyes of youth and listen to their ideas and opinions,” Schieber said.