The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit 376 sponsored a Poppy Poster Contest in both the Oxford Academy Middle and High Schools. The event was chaired by Terrill Sutton with assistance by Art Educators, Charity Gipp and Joni Eaton. Six students were poster winners.

In the Middle School - 1st place: Reesanne Teft; 2nd place: Isabella Macumber; and 3rd place: Tailiena Lupinetti.
In the High school - 1st place: Carlie Gale; 2nd place: Malena Tolen; and 3rd place: Alyssa Dunckel.

Since World War I, the American Legion Auxiliary has been distributing the red Memorial Poppy to remind Americans that millions sacrificed their lives and health to keep America free. This poster contest theme expresses what the poppy represents, in any art medium chosen by the students. The students were encouraged to read the poem "In Flanders Field" and research and learn about the meaning of the red Memorial poppy, patriotism, veterans and service, through art.

The Unit 376 ALA Poppy Poster contest is for grades five through twelve. There was a first, second, and third place in each grade. Prizes are gift certificates to Oxford restaurants: Hoppie's, Roma's, The Stadium, and Joe and Vinny's (- student's restaurant choice). First place - $25 gift certificates, second $15, and third - $10 gift certificates.

Below are the winners of the ALA Unit 376 Poppy Poster Contest 2023

Middle School winner	Middle School winner

Middle School winner

1st place award certificate presentation to Reesanne Tefft by Terrill Sutton.	3rd place award certificate presentation to Tailiena Lupinetti by Terrill Sutton.

High school winning poster	High school winning poster

High school winning poster

With award certificates (center), Carlie Gale - 1st place, and Alyssa Dunkel 3rd place. ALA Unit 376 Poppy Chairperson, Terrill Sutton (L) and Joni Eaton, High School Art Instructor (R).

Click to see other winning posters - Poppy Posters 2018 - Poppy Posters 2019 -* Poppy Posters 2021 - Poppy Posters 2022
*No contest in 2020 due to the Pandemic.