Many years ago, the New Holland American Legion Conestoga Post 662 began presenting a special award to two Garden Spot Middle School (GSMS) students. The award has become a tradition in New Holland, and for decades one eighth-grade girl and one eighth-grade boy have received the award at the end of the school year.

This year, the awards ceremony was held in the GSMS gym on the morning of May 22. Assistant principal Robert Arrick welcomed students and introduced Alan Noll, commander of Post 662. "Our first award is very unique," stated Arrick. "Each year one girl and one boy from the eighth-grade class is recognized for possessing and displaying the following characteristics," Arrick said, listing those characteristics set forth by the American Legion as honor, scholarship, service, Americanism, leadership, and courage. Arrick explained that in early May, students were given the opportunity to nominate their peers based on those criteria. The nominations were tallied, and the names of the top three boys and girls were presented to GSMS faculty and staff members, who chose two winners.

Noll spoke about the award before announcing the 2025 winners. "It is an honor and a privilege for me to present the American Legion award to a male and female student at (GSMS)," he stated, adding that the qualities for which the award is given are "necessary for the preservation and protection of the fundamental institutions of our government and the advancement of society." Noll went on to note that the award should be considered "a building block in the foundation of the character of the recipients and serve as an indication of their future status as outstanding members of the community."  He then announced the recipients of this year's award - Annie Lee Basehore and Jackson Musser. "On behalf of the American Legion and  members of Post 662, we wish you success in all your future endeavors and ask that you continue to hold the principles of this award. May God bless America."

Annie Lee is the daughter of Brad and Heather Basehore of Goodville. At school, Annie Lee is a cheerleader. She also plays field hockey and is a member of the track team. Annie Lee plays viola in orchestra and is on the yearbook staff.

Jackson is the son of Andrew and Julianne Musser of New Holland. His school activities include running cross-country and taking part in track. He also plays double bass in the orchestra.

To make sure the parents of the Legion Award recipients can be present at the ceremony, a GSMS staff member contacts them prior to the event. Keeping the knowledge of the award secret from their children is often a challenge for the parents. Annie Lee's mother, Heather, said that keeping the secret was made more complicated by the fact that Annie Lee's sister and Garden Spot High School senior, Mae, was in the room when the call came about two weeks prior to the presentation. Jackson's father, Andrew, said that he and Julianne did not have trouble keeping the secret and that he was confident that Jackson had no idea he would win until he heard his name announced by Noll.