Twenty-three Thomas County Middle School students placed first in the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Junior American Citizens annual competition and represented the school at the state competition in January.

This year’s topic is “The 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail: Moving the Stars and Stripes Westward.” Students were able to compete in the following categories: poster, stamp design, photo essay, banner, poem, short story, or community service.

The following students placed in the state competition:

5th grade

Poster: 1st Place - Lyra McLain, Serenity Ivey

Stamp: 2nd Place - Euland Barron, Gavin Edenfield

3rd Place - Abbie Griffis

Poem: Honorable Mention - Brett Smith

Short Story: 2nd Place - Emma Smith

Honorable Mention - Annabelle Dunn

6th grade

Banner: 1st Place - Sophie Rehberg, Kenley Reneau, Kaylei Mainprize, and Ellie Kate Youngblood; Brennan West and Kassie White

Poster: Honorable Mention - Taylor Mitchell, Kelsey Brinson, Brennan West

Stamp: 2nd Place - Daniel Thompson

Honorable Mention - Graham Gaines

Poem: 2nd Place - Claire Garbett

3rd Place - Raylynn Fykes

Honorable Mention - Amanda Trautman

Short Story: Honorable Mention - Kolleen Barber

7th grade

Stamp: Honorable Mention - Joseph Anderson

8th grade

Stamp: 2nd Place - Bree Taylor

Honorable Mention - Anna Argo

Nine students qualified at the state level and moved on to the Southeastern United States competition.

Fifth grade student, Emma Smith, placed 2nd in Short Story category for the Southeastern United States.