MIDDLEBORO — The Middleboro Elks Lodge celebrated Flag Day and awarded scholarships to winners of their student essay-contest during a ceremony on June 12.

Abigail Needle, a fifth grade student at the H.B. Burkland School, and Christopher Wainwright, an eighth grade student at Mullein Hill Christian Academy, read their essays on patriotism during the event. Both won first place in the state for their Americanism Essays entered in the Elks Lodge essay contest that aims to promote patriotism in youth.

Other fifth grade students were awarded at the ceremony, including: Delilah Window, earning second place, and Madelyn Lovett, in third Place.

The lodge, located at 24 High St., awarded students $30,000 worth of scholarship funding for their achievements. The student’s essays will now be sent to the national Elks Lodge competition.

Over 75 people were in attendance during the ceremony where the Middleboro Honor Guard also presented flags and conducted a 21 gun salute.