West County 8th Grader Wins National Essay

(Desloge, MO) A 13 year old Eighth Grade student in the West County Schools, Ava Clifton, is the First Place National Winner of the Annual Elk's Drug Awareness Essay Contest. Clifton won the local Mineral ARea Elks Lodge, district, and state First Place award before advancing to the national competition. Clifton says she found out about the award during class.

Clifton explains the theme for the contest was "Life Does Not Rewind, Choose Life Not Drugs." She adds she wrote the essay about her mother Pam Clifton, a teacher in the West County District. It's the first time a St. Francois County Elks lodge has won top honors in the national competition.Listen ​

You can listen to Cliton reading her essay here,...