Shoemaker-Haydt American Legion Post 314, Lehighton, honored two emergency responders and three elementary students during a banquet Monday night.

Timothy Schnell Jr. of Mahoning Township Volunteer Fire Company was named firefighter of the year, while Tyler Meek, of the Mahoning Township Police Department, took home officer of the year honors.Both men thanked the Legion and their family members in attendance for the accolades."I know the police departments around here really appreciate that the Legion acknowledges officers in this way," Meek said.The banquet is held every year in conjunction with the birthday of the American Legion, this year being the 98th, and to honor the men and women in the area who put their lives on the line responding to emergencies, according to Harry J. Wynn III, past commander."We all need to support each other and this is one way we can do our part here at the Legion," he said.Essay winners were Darcy Leiby, Mahoning Elementary, Brok Solt, Shull-David Elementary; and Emma Bonser, Franklin Elementary.Each student is in fourth grade and received a cash prize as winners of the contest. The students wrote about what police officers mean to them."It feels good to get this honor," Solt said. "My essay was about the importance of being a good citizen and how important our police officers are because they catch the people who do bad stuff."Winning the essay contest meant a great deal to Leiby because of the stiff competition she was up against."It's pretty great knowing that some of the other kids wrote great essays also," she said. "Our police officers really do a lot to help the community and I focused my essay on that."Bonser's essay centered on how policemen rush to save lives and keep people safe."It feels awesome to win this award," Coleman said.Larry Heffley, commander of Legion Post 314, said "The Legion does its best to keep the community connected" through events like the one on Monday."All of our honorees tonight do a great job," he added.