A boy who won first prize in a national essay contest was honored by the Chandler City Council during its Constitution Week.

Mayor Kevin Hartke invited Samarthya “Sam” Kumar and his family up to the dais during the council’s Sept. 15 study session as part of what he said is recognition of people and groups whose contributions are relevant to the city’s “Constitution Week.”

Kumar wrote a national award-winning essay during the last school year, when he was an 8-year-old third-grader, about what America means to him. His essay was chosen as one of 25 grades 3-5 awardees and 75 winners overall in the America’s Field Trip America250 essay contest, making him the only Arizona winner this year.

The 25 winners in each age group all receive a free trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the White Hou

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