The Knoxville American Legion Baty-Tucker Post 168 held their 2026 flag essay contest ceremony at Northstar Elementary School on Tuesday morning, and fifth grader Annalise Flattery was selected as the winner.

Every fifth grade student at Northstar was asked to submit an essay to the local American Legion about what the American Flag means to them. Ten students were selected at the ceremony as finalists for the contest, and all received their own American flag along with a certificate and commemorative quarters. Flattery was selected as the winner and her essay will now move onto the district level.

Part of Flattery’s essay was highlighted at the ceremony where she wrote, “There is no way to repay a sacrifice so big, but I want all veterans to know that they mean a lot to me, and I want to be as respectful as I can, because they deserve all of the praise they have gotten. They inspire me to reach for a better place, yet I could never do what they have done. They have never let our country down, and they will never let fear divide us, and will always help our nation stand tall.”

Flattery told KNIA/KRLS after the ceremony that it was special to have her essay recognized in this way.

“It means a lot to me to win. I poured all my thoughts into this about what the flag really means to me and what our veterans and soldiers mean to me.”

Hear Flattery read her essay on Thursday’s Let’s Talk Knoxville. Other finalists included Avery Forst, Peyton Hackett, Lucie Hatch, Dawson Hoffman, Braedyn Martin, Beau Prichard, Leo Shaw, Mackenzi Tanner, and Lena Webster.