The Franklin County Cooperative Extension System recently announced the 2015-2016 Frederic M. Rosemore Patriotism Essay Award Winners – three of whom are from Tharptown High School.

The four-county essay contest is sponsored by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Units of Lauderdale, Colbert, Lawrence and Franklin counties.

The Fredric Rosemore Patriotism Award was established to recognize and reward students who share Rosemore’s pride in and love for the United States of America. Rosemore learned the importance of service early in life when he served his country as a B-17 navigator in the European Theater during World War II. He completed 22 combat missions before being shot down, captured and made a Prisoner of War. Rosemore received numerous citations and honors for his military service. He safely returned home following the war and went on to become a successful optometrist. He settled in Alabama, where he practiced for 32 years before retiring.

The theme for the 2015-2016 Patriotism Essay Contest was “Why I Love Being an American – Patriotism and The American Revolution.” The contest is sponsored by The Rosemore Foundation – Mrs. Marion Rosemore, Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow and Dr. Martha Rosemore Morrow. The contest is coordinated by Katernia W. Cole-Coffey, Franklin County Extension coordinator, and was promoted by 4-H Agents Juanita Baggett, Lawrence County; Brittney Roccato and Lauren Barber, Franklin County; Jewel Campbell, Leslie Goins and Princess Jackson, Colbert County; and Janet Lovelady and Melinda Smith, Lauderdale County.

Junior Division

1^st Place: Rebekah Ratliff, McBride Middle School—Colbert County

2^nd Place: Cooper Naylor, Masters Hand Christian School—Lawrence County

Senior Level I Division

1^st Place: Ciera Thompson, Florence Freshman Center—Lauderdale County

2^nd Place: Emma Henderson, Tharptown High School—Franklin County

3^rd Place: Hanna Hardin, Tharptown High School—Franklin County

4^th Place: Courtney Murphree, Tharptown High School—Franklin County

Senior Level II Division

1^st Place: Alexandrea Mason, R.A. Hubbard High School—Lawrence County

2^nd Place: Wendi I. Flores-Aniles, Sheffield High School—Colbert County

“Patriotism is how we feel about our county, our love, interest and devotion,” Cole-Coffey said. “The Frederic Rosemore Patriotism Essay contest is a great way for 4-H participants to understand America’s past, create a better future for our country and hopefully become future leaders of our country at the national, local or state level.”