Theta Chapter, a branch of Oklahoma State Organization and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, annually welcomes local seventh and eighth grade students to enter a statewide essay writing contest.

Schools that participated this year in Theta’s area were Lomega, Okarche and Watonga.

The students were instructed to write a titled paper of at least five paragraphs in length.

The criteria for judging included grammar and word usage, writing mechanics, sentence formation, originality/ creativity and content.

The topic this year was “What is one thing you wish your parents, teachers or coaches really understood or knew about you?”

The teachers involved were Shannon Kalicki of Watonga, Donna Sawyer of Lomega and Lynda Riedlinger of Okarche.

Theta members commended the teachers for guiding their students in participating in this contest.

Theta Chapter members met in February to read all the essays without knowing the name of the student or the school from which they came.

Based on the writing criteria, members selected three seventh grade winners and three eighth grade winners.

After the selections, members identified the student and school.

The first place winners were then sent to the Oklahoma state organization for the statewide contest.

Local winners were Breckon Murray in the seventh grade and Claire Myers in the eighth grade, both of whom are from Lomega and both placed in the top-five in the state contest.

The second place winners were Jaci Black, eighth grader from Okarche, and Alyssa Soto, seventh grader from Watonga.

Third place went to Grady Terrell, eighth grader from Okarche, and Graycie Welton, seventh grader from Watonga.

These students and their teachers were recognized at the chapter’s April meeting.

They received a certifi award for their essays.

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