Founder’s award winners

International 2 VP, Lee Hensley, announced the 2026 Founder’s Award winners. Milanya Hall, Yesterday’s Heritage, #809, IA won first place. Her paper titled “Abraham Lincoln’s Arduous Journey to Faith” followed Lincoln’s spiritual life, a long and deeply personal journey that was shaped by hardship, loss, intellectual struggle, and ultimately a quiet, sincere embrace of faith.

Additional winners include the following:

2nd place: Traveling the Lincoln Highway by Laurie Schrecengost, Kit-Han-Ne #408 PA;

3rd place: The Last Train Ride: A Story About Abraham Lin-coln's Funeral Ride, by Lyn Gruganus, Happy Rackensackers #906 AR;

Honorable Mention: Abraham Lincoln: From Cabin to Castle, Natelie M. Macy, COMO #81 PA;

Honorable Mention: Abraham Lincoln: The Man and The Legend, Sandy Thompson, Clayton Woods #808 FL

“I’m also happy to announce the next topic for the 2027 Found-er's Award, 'Forged in History, Pittsburgh's Legacy,” said Hensley. The award will be presented at the next International Convention in Pittsburgh, PA hosted by Ohio Questers.