Mackinaw City students Brooke Yoder, Samantha Bell, and Alexandra Clemens won the top three places, respectively, in the “America and Me” essay contest.

All three received award certificates for their achievement.

As the first place winner, Miss Yoder’s name will be engraved on a plaque for permanent display at the school in Mackinaw City. Her essay will now advance to the state level competition, from which the top 10 essays in Michigan will be selected.

Several thousand eighth grade students from nearly 500 Michigan schools are participating in the contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance. This year’s topic is “My Personal Michigan Hero.”