Gregory Baranco, Jr., the son of Juanita and Gregory Baranco, Sr., has won first place at the national level of Modern Woodmen of America's Civic Oration Contest.

Gregory is a seventh grade student at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Decatur, where his family are parishioners. As contest winner he will receive a $1,000 Savings Plan and plaque. This is the first time a Georgia student has won first place at the national level.

This year's topic was "What Makes America Great?" Gregory spoke on diversity and how the many cultural groups that came to America brought their best and helped the nation. After he won at the local and state level, a tape of Gregory's speech was sent to the national competition where it was one of 24 entries.

Second place winner was Alano Miller of Orlando, Fla., and third place went to Joelle Newnam of Shelton, Conn. Charles Tidwell, Modern Woodmen agency manager in Marietta, will present the award.

Approximately 80,000 students participated in the contest this year. The Civic Oration Contest is sponsored annually as a community service by Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal life insurance society with home offices in Rock Island, Ill.