Elks Essay Contest WPS Winners

2/20/2025

Berlin, MD –Worcester Preparatory School’s (WPS) Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 essay contest winners were recently recognized.

This year's theme for the Elks National Great Americanism essay contest was "What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?" Each student submitted an essay consisting of at least 300 words.

Congratulations to WPS student Freddy Hertrich for achieving 1st place, Abigail Kratzner for securing 2nd place, and Grant Messner for receiving 3rd place in the 5th Grade division. In the 6th Grade division, Maddie Bobenko won 2nd place. In the 7th Grade division, Ronit Poddar also earned 2nd place. In the 8th Grade division, Sophia Nguyen achieved 1st place, and Elle Wilsey received 3rd place.

Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent school for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, located in Berlin, Maryland. The school has approximately 500 students attending from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

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2025 WPS Elks Essay Winners: Pictured are this year’s Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 Americanism Essay Contest winners. From left to right are WPS student Ronit Poddar (Ocean Pines, MD), Head of Lower School Dr. Sara Timmons, student Freddy Hertrich (Rehoboth Beach, DE), and Elle Wilsey (Selbyville, DE). Also included are Gretchen and Allen Meyer of Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645, student Sophia Nguyen (Dagsboro, DE), Head of Middle School Mr. Jake Perry, and students Abigail Kratzner (Bishopville, MD) and Maddie Bobenko (Berlin, MD). Student Grant Messner is not pictured.
2025 WPS Elks Essay Winners: Pictured are this year’s Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 Americanism Essay Contest winners. From left to right are WPS student Ronit Poddar (Ocean Pines, MD), Head of Lower School Dr. Sara Timmons, student Freddy Hertrich (Rehoboth Beach, DE), and Elle Wilsey (Selbyville, DE). Also included are Gretchen and Allen Meyer of Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645, student Sophia Nguyen (Dagsboro, DE), Head of Middle School Mr. Jake Perry, and students Abigail Kratzner (Bishopville, MD) and Maddie Bobenko (Berlin, MD). Student Grant Messner is not pictured.
2025 WPS Elks Essay Winners: Pictured are this year’s Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 Americanism Essay Contest winners. From left to right are WPS student Ronit Poddar (Ocean Pines, MD), Head of Lower School Dr. Sara Timmons, student Freddy Hertrich (Rehoboth Beach, DE), and Elle Wilsey (Selbyville, DE). Also included are Gretchen and Allen Meyer of Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645, student Sophia Nguyen (Dagsboro, DE), Head of Middle School Mr. Jake Perry, and students Abigail Kratzner (Bishopville, MD) and Maddie Bobenko (Berlin, MD). Student Grant Messner is not pictured.

Worcester Preparatory School

508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811

Phone: 410-641-3575 | Fax: 410-641-3586

Celebrating 50 years, WPS is an independent, college prep day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. Located in Berlin, Maryland, the private school attracts an average of 500 students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.