2023 MPOF Essay Winners

1st Place, West Side – Ella Wharton West Plains Middle School, West Plains, MO Pictured L to R: Sheriff Stephen Monticelli (West Plains PD), Ella, and her parents Brandon and Jessica

1st Place, East Side – Madison Pritchett Hillsboro Junior High, Hillsboro, MO Pictured L to R: MPOA member Chief Mike Wiegand (Eureka PD), Kristen Maerli (Teacher), Madison, Kimberly Copeland (Assistant Principal), and MPOA member Retired Sergeant Scott Barthelmass (Overland PD)

2nd Place, West Side – Gabriella Barclay Clinton County Middle School, Plattsburg, MO Pictured L to R: Ms. Lisa Codding (teacher), MPOA member Chief Jason Lockridge (Smithville PD), Gabriella, and her parents Josh and Misty.

3rd Place, East Side – Rett Curtis Community R-VI School, Laddonia, MO Pictured L to R: Mother and Teacher Bethany Curtis, Rett, and MPOA member Retired Chief Randy Boehm (Columbia PD)

3rd Place, West Side – Molly Pollard Forsyth Middle School, Forsyth, MO Pictured L to R: Lieutenant Terry Potter (MSHP) and Molly