Middle High School VFW Essay Contest Winners Announced

The Patriot’s Pen competition is a written essay competition for Middle School students. This year’s theme is “My Pledge to Our Veterans.” This year there were 18 submitted entries from the Middle School, according to Mr. Keesee. The winners and their prize are:

 

 

Established in 1947, the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.  The 2022-23 theme is “Why is the Veteran Important?” To compete in the Voice of Democracy contest, High School students must submit a recording of their oratorical composition three-to-five minutes in length. This year nine LVHS students submitted entries, Mr. Keesee said.

 

The winners and their prizes are:

 

 

Next, the entries of the six VFW Post #551 winners will be considered at the District level. That winner of District will then head to the VFW state level. The first-place winner at the state level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. The Patriot’s Pen grand prize is $5,000. The grand prize scholarship for the Voice of Democracy is $35,000.

 

Mr. Keesee also announced that Lucerne Valley Elementary School teacher Mrs. Hall was nominated for the VFW’s Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program. 

 

“Great work for everyone doing this,” Superintendent Peter Livingston said. School Board members also commended the Keesees and the competition winners.

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