The Broken Bow Elks Lodge 1688 hosted its Annual Scholarship and Awards reception on April 23, where 14 area seniors were awarded $4,000 across four different Elks scholarships.

The Past Presidents Scholarship and Elks Service Scholarship each had two recipients, as did the Mildred and Neuman Harris Scholarship, and the Most Valuable Student Scholarship had an astonishing eight awardees.

Callaway’s Grant Hrupek, Abby Stallbaumer, and Ava Pandorf were named among the Most Valuable Students from the area. Also recognized were Dustie Harris and Emily Leach of Sandhills, Shealynn Rasmussen of Burwell, Tenley Rasmussen of Thedford, and Arnold’s Annalee Starr.

The Americanism essay winners were announced as well and included Callaway’s Gracie Brennan in second place. Broken Bow’s Jadyn Scott was the first place winner, and Josie Morrow of Purdum was third. This year’s essay theme was “My American Dream,” and had to be within 300 words.

Each essay was read by the winner to the attendees. First place earned $75, second place earned $50, and third place took home $25.