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The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8719 of Advance has announced winners of the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy essay competitions.

Each year the VFW holds the competitions. Students can compete at post, district, state and national levels to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes and scholarships. The state winner also receives an all-expense paid trip for two to Washington, D.C. to be honored at the VFW and Auxiliary Conference.

Students from grades 6-8 compete in the Patriot’s Pen essay contest by writing a 300-400 word essay. This year’s theme was “What is Patriotism to Me?”

High school students from grades 9-12 compete in the Voice of Democracy by writing and then recording a 3-5 minute audio/essay expressing their views of this year’s patriotic theme, “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?”

Due to the Covid–19 restrictions, members of VFW Post 8719 were unable to hold the annual awards banquet this year. The Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy awards will be presented to the winners at individual schools.

The winners of the Patriot’s Pen essay contest at post level will be presented with certificates, pins and prize money.

First, Annabelle Grace Trivette, North Davie Middle School, $100.

Second, Jaden Elizabeth Sink, North Davie, $75.

Third, Carden Elizabeth Stroud, Ellis Middle School, $50, and Dashel David DesNoyers, Ellis Middle, $50.

Annabelle Trivette’s essay advanced to district level for judging.

The winners of the Voice of Democracy Essay/Audio contest at post level will be presented with certificates, pins and prize money

First, Jordyn R. Cassada, Davie Early College, $100.

Second, Catherine Hernandez Rivas,  Davie Early College, $75.

Third,  Trenton A. Wright, Davie High School JROTC, $50.

Jordyn Cassada will receive a $1,000 cash scholarship from the Joe H. King Memorial Scholarship Fund upon her high school graduation. She and Catherine Hernandez Rivas Voice of Democracy essay/audio also advanced to district level for judging.

Judges were: Mrs. Chris Smith, Ron Cox, Bernard Gerstemeier, Senior Vice Commander Tom O’Brien and Commander D.J. Smith.

“We would also like to say thank you” to all of the teachers and students who participated in this year’s competitions. We would like to congratulate all of the winners on a job well done,” DJ Smith said.