VFW awards local students

The Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) Voice of Democracy audio-essay scholarship program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. First established in 1947, each year nearly 25,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

Post 6125, here in the Platte Valley, recently chose the winners of this year’s contests. Their essays will be forwarded to VFW District 3 in hopes that they are selected to compete at the State, and eventually, National level. This year the theme was “What are the greatest attributes of our democracy?”.

Tyrel Brown’s Voice of Democracy speech secured him the top prize of $500, followed by $300 to 2nd place finisher Kyenna Jackson, with $200 being awarded to third place winner Eckerley Pickett.

The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school of choice.

In addition to the Voice of Democracy contest, nearly 70,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 for advancing to the national level. The national first place winner receives $5,000.

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. This year’s theme was, “How Are You Inspired by America?”

The award winners for Post 6125 were first place and $350 going to Kellan Swanson, with second place and $200 to Kesson Baysinger.

All of this year’s winners, in both categories, are students at Encampment K12 School. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and a salute to everyone who entered and participated in the contest!