Lexington District One students put their pens to paper to answer an important question for an annual contest. For the past 30 years, the Sertoma Club of Lexington invited middle school students to enter the National Heritage Essay Contest. In their essays, they explore complex ideas about patriotism and what it means to be an American. Nearly 200 students submitted essays on this year’s topic of “What Does America Mean to Me?” A committee of club members selected the best of the best to honor at the annual banquet on Monday, March 18. Winners include Carolina Springs Middle’s Kassey Kitchings and Rebekah Norris, Gilbert Middle’s James Lever, Lexington Middle’s Savannah Carswell, Meadow Glen Middle’s Ashvi Patel, Pelion Middle’s Gabriela Balleza, Pleasant Hill Middle’s Ciara Alderman, Wyatt O’Cain and Hannah Webster, and White Knoll Middle’s Jivana Kuhanandha. Club member and event organizer Buzz Lewis says the Sertoma Club of Lexington looks forward to reading the essays each year. “It is important that middle school students understand the importance of our heritage,” he adds.