BANGOR – Denali Graham, a sixth-grader at All Saints Catholic School in Bangor, was the state winner in the Knights of Columbus Essay Contest, “How Do Priests and Religious Bring Us Closer to Jesus?”

Graham, the daughter of Janice and Jeff Graham of Orono, was recognized during a Mass held June 9 at St. John’s Catholic Church.

On hand to present the award were Knights of Columbus officers George Cyr and Thomas Mooney, and from All Saints School, teacher Kathy Mann and principal Marcia Diamond.