For 42 years, The Sertoma Club of Broad Ripple has sponsored the National Heritage Essay Contest. The Club believes that participation encourages students to understand our country's founding principles and consider how those principles affect their lives today.

The contest was open to 6th-grade students in the Greater Indianapolis area. This year's contest yielded 2,100 essays from 19 public, private and parochial schools in the greater Indianapolis area and included sixth-grade students from 94 different classrooms. 

The Club's contest committee awarded $6,900 to 94 sixth-grade students and four teachers. The top three winners are as follows: Lorelai Polk of Fishers won first place and received a check for $400. Gigi Wilczek of Westfield won second place and received a check for $300. Brooks Kline of Carmel finished third and received a check for $200. 

Pictured are this year's winners from left to right.