Ceremony to honor art, essay winners

Assemb. Brian Curran (R-Lynbrook) plans to recognize student winners of his fourth annual Flag Day Art and Essay contest at the village's Greis Park on Sunday.

"To learn about what the flag and our country mean to the children of our community through the artwork and essays was very moving," Curran said in a news release. "The patriotism and care these students exhibit every year are testaments to the dedication and involvement their parents, this community and our educators have in raising civically engaged children."

There are 78 students -- 42 first place and 36 honorable mentions -- from 16 schools in seven communities: Lynbrook, East Rockaway, Malverne, Baldwin, West Hempstead, Rockville Centre and Valley Stream.

The students, from kindergarten through sixth grade, will receive a certificate of recognition, a 3-foot by 5-foot American Flag, and an ice cream certificate. Runners-up receive the same, except for the flag.

Leslie Rothschild, a spokeswoman for Curran, said "nearly 400 students participated in the contest this year, compared to 300 last year."