Liberty Belles Republican Women held their first ever “My American Hero” 2026 Essay Contest Winners recently at Panorama Golf Club.
These essays, written by students attending Willis Independent School District Courage, honored men and women whose “Courage, Service and Inspiration” made them proud to live in this wonderful country of ours.
The program began with LBRW President Jane Williamson welcoming all attendees, followed by Judge Wayne Mack’s opening prayer and Justice of the Peace Candidate and WISD Trustee, Scott Carson, leading us all in the Pledges to the American Flag and the Texas Flag.
Next Lois Bilby introduced those from WISD including Superintendent Dr. Kimberly James. Then Nancy Oughton, gave a brief history of the “My American Hero” Essay Contest.
According to Nancy, Lake Conroe Area Republican Women originated this contest 28 years ago with one elementary school in Montgomery, Texas and one in Willis, Texas participating. The contest was designed for the purpose of encouraging young people to appreciate, read, research and learn about American History so that they may become well informed citizens and American patriots. Because both of these school districts have become so large, LCARW asked LBRW if they would be interested in taking over WISD. The answer: a resounding yes!
This year eight members of LBRW read and judged well over 100 essays, selecting the top 13 from each school. Ten students receive Honorable Mention Awards, and the first, second and third place winners, with their family members, were then invited to the annual My American Essay Contest Winners Award Luncheon.
After the introduction of Elected Officials and Candidates, Brandie Gonzales began the program by introducing the third, second and first place award winners from each school. The First Place Winner gets the added honor of reading his/her own essay and being presented with a Texas Flag that was flown over the Texas State Capitol in Austin, compliments of Texas Representative Will Metcalf! Certificates to all winners were also given to winners by United States Congressman Morgan Luttrell and Texas Senator Lois Kolkhorst.
The winners in each school:
Cannon Elementary : 1st Place, Manuel Campos
Hardy Elementary : 1st Place – Leonardo Medina, 2nd Place – Kaysei Micheaux, 3rd Place – Michelle Chigo
Lagway Elementary : 1st Place – Skylar White, 2nd Place – Colton Brice, 3rd Place – Ainsley Merik
Meador Elementary : 1st Place – Olivia Tuminas, 2nd Place – Harrison Powell, 3rd Place – Caroline Mazzetti
Parmley Elementary : 1st Place – Luke Swain, 2nd Place – Bowen Guidry, 3rd Place – Adalyn Dcosta
Turner Elementary : 1st Place – Laura Pasket, 2nd Place – Arianna Yamamoto, 3rd Place – Anna Atencio
Brandie concluded the meeting by thanking all of those who attended and reminding the students present that great leaders and heroes are not necessarily defined by how smart a person is or who knows the most but by a person who cares the most, shows gratitude and has determination. “And that is why YOU are here today. You are all potential leaders.”
In addition, Brandie reminded the adults present that the heroes that the students wrote about were not movie or pop stars but were people that encouraged them, had determination and never gave up. “So adults, I leave you with this…when life gets hard, hectic and sometimes we just don’t have the energy to keep going, remember, you have little eyes watching you and you may just be their hero!”
Liberty Belles Republican Women meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at Panorama Golf Club. Even months they meet at 5:30 pm. Odd months they meet at 11:30 am. For more information, please contact President Jane Williamson at libertybellesrw@mail.com.