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The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8719 of Advance has announced the winners of the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy competitions.
Each year the VFW holds the Patriot’s Pen essay and Voice of Democracy essay/audio competitions.
Students compete at Post, District, State and National levels to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes and scholarships. The state winner also receive 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 by writing a 300-400 word essay. This year’s theme was “My Voice in America’s Democracy?”
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 America Today Our Forefathers’Vision?”
The awards will be presented to the winners at their individual schools.
Post level winners of the Patriot’s Pen essay contest will be presented with certificates, pins and prize money as follows:
• 1st Place, Ryan James Nuckolls, North Davie Middle, $100;
• 2nd Place, Lily E. Tronsen, Ellis Middle, $75; and
• 3rd Place, Rachel L. Gretka, North Davie Middle, $50.
These students’ essays advanced to District level for judging. At the District level, Rachel L. Gretka was the first place winner, receiving $200and Ryan James Nuckolls was second, receiving $100.00.
Rachel’s essay will advance to be judged at the state level.
The winner of the Voice of Democracy Essay/Audio contest at Post level will be presented with a certificates, pins and prize money as follows:
• 1st Place, Claire E. Angell, Narrow Way Academy, $100;
• 2nd Place, Gavin W. Lucus, JROTC, Davie High, $75; and
• 3rd place, Lilly Grace Hunter, Hunter School, $50.
Claire E. Angell will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Joe H. King Memorial Scholarship Fund upon her high school graduation.
The post level winners of the Voice of Democracy essay/audio also advanced to District level for judging. At the District level, Gavin W. Lucus was the third place winner, receiving $50.00.
Post judges were Jim Cooper, Mr. Ron Cox, Mr. Bernard Gerstemeier and Commander Tom O’Brien.