A talented young student has been recognized for his submission through the Royal Canadian Legion’s posters, poems and essays competition, which is held each year in honour of Remembrance Day.
Kylan Bender finished second at the dominion (national) level in the primary colour poster competition. He advanced through the different stages, finishing first at the branch, zone, district and provincial levels to qualify for dominions.
His poster has the words “We Remember” at the top with a Canadian flag, and then a collection of poppies in front of the grave of a soldier.
The legion announced award recipients for 2019 and 2020 at an event on June 27. Top three finishers and honourable mentions in each category and at each level were saluted.
The announcement for the 2019 recipients would have typically taken place in the spring of 2020, but the announcement of the winners was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For 2020, in junior essay, Sarah Pyra finished first at provincials, and advanced to nationals. She also finished second in the zone for junior poetry.
In intermediate poetry, Rachel Duncan came in second place at the zone level.
William Duncan was first place at the district level for intermediate black and white poster.
Rebecca Duncan made it to the zone level for senior black and white poster, where she finished second; to districts for senior essay, where she was also second; and third in provincials for senior poem, where she was third.
As for the 2019 results, the legion had a number of students make it to the zone and district levels.
Ella Rubiletz was second place in the zone for her primary colour poster. Haylee Keays was second at zones for her primary black and white poster.
Rachel Duncan was second in the zone for her junior colour poster, and third in the zone for her junior essay and junior poem.
Jacob Pyra was second in the zone for his intermediate essay, and second at zones for his intermediate poem.
Jenna Effa made it to districts, and was third in the senior essay competition.
Rebecca Duncan reached districts in three categories. She was second in senior poem, and third in senior colour poster and senior black and white poster.
In a speech during the awards ceremony, Troy LeBlanc, the chairperson of the Estevan branch competition, thanked and congratulate each of the participants.
“I would also like to thank the teachers and schools who have been supportive of the contest and continue to teach the importance of Remembrance Day to our youth,” said LeBlanc. “We look forward to working with you again this fall when the new contest begins.”
LeBlanc also applauded the parents who helped keep their kids involved in this cause.
“This contest could be the spark that ignites their curiosity and in turn could send them down a path of developing leadership skills and community involvement,” said LeBlanc.
The top three finishers and honourable mentions at the branch level for 2019 were as follows:
Primary colour poster Primary black and white poster
1st - Ella Rubiletz 1st - Haylee Keays
2nd - Anashay Salduddin 2nd - Layla Rittaler
3rd - Andin Barlow 3rd - Kion Meytall Aborquez
Honourable mention - Charlie Pyra
Junior colour poster Junior black and white poster
1st – Rachel Duncan 1st - Liam Kwochka
2nd - Sarah Pyra 2nd - Charece Petican
3rd - Mahaley Fonstad 3rd - Sadie Munro
Honourable mentions- Elizabeth Harnsworth, Sierra Mantei HM- Lazarus Struble
Intermediate colour poster Intermediate black and white poster
1st - Matthew Steffensen 1st - Jennifer Wiebe
2nd - Amelia Loewen 2nd- Sasha Mantei
3rd- Lisa Wiebe 3rd - Charlotte Avery
Honourable mentions - William Duncan, Jacob Pyra HM - Angel Gervais
Senior colour poster Senior black and white poster
1st - Rebecca Duncan 1st - Rebecca Duncan
2nd - Cynthia Goudy 2nd - Taylor Schweigert
3rd - Jessica Goulet
Honourable mentions - Samantha Bradley, Kelly Vogel, Cody Goyette
Junior Essay Junior Poem
1st- Rachel Duncan 1st - Rachel Duncan
2nd - Sarah Pyra
Intermediate Essay Intermediate Poem
1st- Jacob Pyra 1st- Jacob Pyra
2nd- William Duncan 2nd- William Duncan
3rd- Jaylyn Prawdzik 3rd - Bly Burnett
Honourable mention - Jennifer Wiebe Honourable mention - Amelia Loewen
Senior Essay Senior Poem
1st - Jenna Effa 1st - Rebecca Duncan
2nd - Rebecca Duncan
3rd - Emma Stadnick
Honourable mention- Natasha Wiebe
Some of the winners for the 2020 competition won’t be announced until the beginning of the 2021 poster, poems and essays campaign in September.
