Knights of Columbus Council 6514 from St. Joseph Church, Athens, sponsored essay contests for eighth-graders at St. Joseph School and students at Monsignor Donovan High School. The theme of the contest was “The Importance of Religious Freedom.” Cash awards and certificates were given to first, second and third place winners in each grade category.

And the winners are (in order by first, second and third place):

• Eighth grade: Chloe Calahria, Michael Wieczorek, Kaitlin Barton.
• Ninth grade: Davis Meyer, Alex Montello, Carlos Reyes.
• 10th grade: Ryan Holmes, Elizabeth Allen, Caroline Borst.
• 11th grade: Meggi Shaffer, Anna Thurmond, Rudy Montayre.
• 12th grade: Rebecca Rapp, Ashley Burns, Fiona Pathenpura.

At the state competition, first-place winners were Carlos Reyes, Caroline Borst, Rudy Montayre and Ashley Burns.