Rosewood High sophomore, Billy Strickland, III, learned this week that he won the regional-level competition for the Fleet Reserve Association Americanism Essay Contest. Strickland will now move on to the FRA national competition.

According to the FRA website: FRA sponsors an annual essay contest to promote the spirit of Americanism and patriotism among our country’s youth. FRA’s Americanism Essay Contest is open to all students, grades 7 through 12, including those who are home schooled.  Students are invited to submit a 350-word essay through an FRA member or local FRA branch before the December 1st deadline.  Local winners are forwarded for competition at the regional level and regional winners compete for national prizes.

The grand national winner will receive $5,000, with additional prizes for the top three essays in each grade category ($2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $1,000 for third place).  Each national winner will receive an attractive plaque citing his/her achievement, and every entrant judged at the national level receives a certificate of recognition. Additional prizes may be awarded to students winning at local and regional levels of competition.

Strickland was recognized in January for winning the local-level essay competition by FRA #Branch 301 representative, H.W. Schroeder (U.S Navy Retired), during a special presentation at a monthly Wayne County Board of Education meeting. For winning the regional-level competition, Strickland received a congratulatory letter and a special FRA certificate of recognition.