Milan Middle School Students Honored in 57th America & Me Essay Contest

Three students from Milan Middle School have been named local winners in the 57th annual America & Me Essay Contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.

The students have earned first, second and third place awards for their school, with Sophia McGettigan, placing first, Bridget Lambert, second and Agne Zukovskyte, third. All three received award certificates for their achievement. As the school's first place winner, Sophia's name was also engraved on a plaque for permanent display in the school.

Milan Middle School's participation in the America & Me Essay Contest was sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance agent Jacey Carner of The Carner Agency in Dundee.

As a first-place awardee, Sophia's winning essay advanced to the state level competition, from which the top 10 essays in Michigan were selected. The essay advanced to the round of 30 before the final 10 were selected. The top 10 statewide winners (link below), each received a plaque, a medallion, and a cash award of $1,000. Farm Bureau Insurance also presented each school placing top ten statewide winner with a $1,000 check, along with an additional $500 for schools sponsored by their local Farm Bureau Insurance agent. The annual America & Me Essay Contest Awards Day was held Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, in Lansing. The top 10 students and their teachers from across the state participated in a day of recognition at the Michigan Capitol and Treasury buildings, Jackson Field, and at an awards banquet held at Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan’s headquarters.

https://www.michfb.com/about/news-media/winners-announced-57th-annual-america-me-essay-contest

More than 3,000 eighth grade students from nearly 200 Michigan schools participated in the 2025 - 2026 America & Me Essay Contest, which was conducted with the help of Farm Bureau Insurance agents across the state. The topic of this year’s contest was “My Personal Michigan Hero." Sophia should take considerable pride in advancing to the state level competition.

Started in 1968 and open to all Michigan 8th-graders, the America & Me Essay Contest encourages students to explore the positive influences and inspirations they’ve experienced as young Americans in their home state. As sponsor of the contest, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan has earned 11 national awards from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.