American Legion Post Honors 30 Farmington Area Students

American Legion Post 346 in Farmington commemorated Memorial Day by honoring 30 model youth for their dedication to country and their civic example. This is the seventh year the Farmington post of the American Legion honored individual students for their patriotism and service. This year, 15 schools serving Farmington/Farmington Hills nominated students for this nationally recognized award. Every primary and secondary school in Farmington and Farmington Hills was invited to select two graduating students, one boy and one girl, to receive an American Legion School Award, which includes a certificate and medal. Students who win this award excel in several areas defined by the national American Legion organization: courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service. The aim of this national award is to “develop those ideals of Americanism among young people which will make them citizens of the highest type.” All winners of American Legion awards were invited to walk in the annual Farmington Community Memorial Day Parade. Winners and their families marched behind an “Americanism School Award Winners” banner. The awards are also bestowed upon seniors at participating high schools, but their names will be announced at Honors ceremonies in conjunction with graduation. The American Legion locally sponsors many activities for youth in the community, including sports teams and Boys’ and Girls’ State sponsorships. They also offer scholarship opportunities for college-bound seniors. “The Legion invests quite a bit of its resources, both time and financial, in developing programs to develop character and recognize achievement among the youth in our community,” said Steven Koponen, Dunckel Middle School teacher and Sons of the American Legion member, who spearheads the awards. “The Legion knows the importance of empowering young people because they are the future leaders of our community.” Winners of American Legion School Awards: BOTSFORD ELEMENTARY: Miles Katchorek, Ashleigh Nave CLARENCEVILLE MIDDLE: Eboni Brown, Jack Couch O.E. DUNCKEL MIDDLE: Nicklaus Snell, Mirei Yamamoto EAST MIDDLE: Mark DeMartini, Danielle Petras FOREST ELEMENTARY: Erin Hess, Andrew Pan GILL ELEMENTARY: Brendan Correa, Evelyn Penner WILLIAM GRACE ELEMENTARY: DeSean Knight, Swati Punyamurtula GRANDVIEW ELEMENTARY: Joshua Stadler, Alma Xhilaj HIGHMEADOW COMMON CAMPUS: Jakar Dhillon, Kareena Kumar HILLSIDE ELEMENTARY: Josef Bass, Olivia Chandler KENBROOK ELEMENTARY: Charlotte Hanus, Daniel Hanus J.A. LANIGAN ELEMENTARY: Delanie Butler, Jake Matteson LONGACRE ELEMENTARY: Nimeya Bhatt, Valadian Pallett OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL: Sarah Kurpiers, Alexander Zarouk POWER UPPER ELEMENTARY: Thomas Lichtenberg, Ari Richardson