Contributed photos

New York Mills students in kindergarten, first, fourth, fifth and sixth grades proudly took part in this fall’s VFW Patriotism Contest. The youngest students (kindergarten and first grade) showed their creativity through coloring, fourth graders illustrated their patriotic spirit with original drawings, and fifth and sixth graders expressed their thoughts through essays. Winners are listed in order of their placement, except for sixth grade, which had one first place finisher while the remaining students placed second. 

Kindergarten: Asher Uselman, Remi Hotakainen and Ellie Tumberg (above right). 

First grade: Micah Geiser, Kayler Smith and Brayden Denny (right). 

Fourth grade: Jaclynn Wilhelmi, Setler Smith, Nathan Kopveiler, Blake Vaughan, Emily Dittmann, Cecilia Olson, Porter Hendrickx, Aubree Jorden,and Ren Hoefs (top).

Fifth grade: Harlow Carlson, Josie Kandoll (not pictured), Brielle Nelson, Isla Geiser, Piper VonRuden and Vaeda Zutter (below). 

Sixth grade: Max Geiser, Nolan Usleman, Colter Hendrickx, Hunter Beaman, Drake Green, Liam Hotchkiss, Elijah VonRuden, Millie Schik, Mila Aschnewitz, and Victoria Bennett. Piper Greenwaldt, who is not pictured, from Henning school also placed second. (bottom).