Hjelm is national fence painting champ

Persistence paid off for Wesley Hjelm, 12, of Hannibal, who was named national fence painting champion Saturday in the final fence painting contest at Hannibal’s National Tom Sawyer Days. Wesley had won the local fence painting on Thursday, after also winning the local contest in 2007.
Dylan Behl, 10, of New London, the state champion, took second place in the national contest.
Odin Glascock of Misawa, Japan, finished in third place. Odin’s dad, Clarence Glascock, in stationed in Japan with the U.S. Armed Forces and was with him in Hannibal Saturday.
Wesley won a $500 U.S. Savings Bond and plaque. He also received the national fence painting champion traveling trophy, which he will take to the Missouri governor to be displayed for the next year.
Dylan and Odin each received U.S. Savings Bonds and plaques.
Additional details about the contest and photos will be added later and published in Monday’s Courier-Post.