2026 Community Program Winners
- Mon, Apr 6, 2026 5:13 PM
2026 State Essay Winners
In January, 28 essays were received from students from all over the state.
The theme this year was an interesting topic for the youth to research and write about: “Out of 267 Popes that have led the Catholic Church, who are your three favorites?”
Essays were well written and contained some creative insight. The winners were Arianna Boukouris 8th grade (Council 4401), Violet Osantowske 9th grade (Council 13983), Michael Mondry 10th grade (Council 13983), William Laprise 11th grade (Council 13983) and Sienna Nguyen 12th grade (Council 13983).
Their essays have been submitted to Supreme for consideration in the International Essay competition. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all who participated!
2026 State Spelling Bee Winners
The State Spelling Bee finals was held at Fr. Van Rooy Council 2740 in Essexville, MI on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Twenty-four competitors from around the State competed in the two different levels (Grades 4,5,6 and Grades 7,8,9). Following a challenging competition, both the winners and runners-up achieved success. Level 1 Winner Marguerite Raths (Saginaw Diocese), Level 1 Runner-Up Vincent Stanza (AOD), Level 2 Winner Elise Tranchida (AOD) and Level 2 Runner-Up Jonathan Manrique (AOD)
Please join me in congratulating the winners and continue to encourage future champions to compete in the Michigan State Spelling Bee.
2025 State Free Throw Championship
The State Free Throw Championship was held at Sacred Heart Parish Gym (Council
1297) in Mt Pleasant on Sunday March 15th. We had approximately 70 participants in the competition this year. After 2 hours of competitions, we had 12 State Champions.
Please join me in congratulating the winners and continue to encourage future
champions to compete in the Michigan State Free Throw Challenge.
Brynlee Walker Council 2724, Lilly Rogers Council 7418, Blaise Basler Council 13641,
Keelei Latoski Council 8554, Kamden Kraemer Council 9523, Aubrey Farrand Council 7623,
Levi Luitinen Council 6293, Samuel Rossi Council 1585, Charlie Curcio Council
2975, Isabella Bennett Council 8892, Bennett Basler Council 13641, Emilia Schultz Council 13526
Larry J Herman, FDM
State Community Director