PRINCETON — Gabriel Cook, a seventh-grade student at Princeton Christian Academy, was recently honored at the Elks National Convention held in San Antonio, Texas, for his prize-winning essay that took first in the nation.

Penny Best, Local Elks Americanism chairperson, read his essay at the convention and received a plaque to present to Gabriel. The essay, titled “I Will Pledge,” was entered in the fifth- and sixth-grade writing contest sponsored by the Elks Grand Lodge last spring. Cook won $500 for winning first in the state of Illinois, and then won another $1,000 for winning the national title.

Cook is the son of Pastor Eldon and Kathey Cook of Walnut. His mom, Kathey, is also his English teacher at Princeton Christian Academy. Cook has been involved in theater, basketball and choir, and is on the high honor roll. Last year, two other PCA students took state honors in the seventh- and eighth-grade division of the Elks essay contest: Kimberly Glenn won first in the state and Mauricio Jones won second in the state.