Student’s essay on to Patriot’s Pen nationals

    Imperial VFW Post 4688  auxiliary members are thrilled knowing another student in this area has qualified for their patriotic essay competition on the national level.
    Auxiliary officers learned the past week that Olivia Spady, an eighth grader at Chase County Schools, was the Nebraska state winner in the 2020-21 Patriot’s Pen essay competition with her entry on “What is Patriotism to Me?”
    There was no state convention this year due to COVID, so district winners did not get to travel to give their essays at the annual state event, said Sue Moore, auxiliary president.
    “We’re been very fortunate here in this competition. We have some very good writers at our school,” Moore said.
    She recalled that Morgan Peterson in the 2017-18 competition was also the Nebraska state Patriot’s Pen winner and went on to place 17th nationally.
    Spady’s journey to compete nationally started last fall with her first place win at the local level when 64 essays were submitted. Her selection as the VFW auxiliary’s local winner earned her a $75 cash prize.
    That sent her essay to districts, where Spady topped the other 25 contestants there, receiving a $150 cash award.
    Ten district winners competed at state, and Spady again was chosen first place. State officers awarded her a $1,000 cash prize.
    As state winner, her essay then became eligible for national competition. Auxiliary President Moore said Spady’s essay has been sent on to the national level.
    They expect to learn in the coming weeks how Spady’s entry ranks among other state winners. The national winner will receive $5,000.
    She is the daughter of Mark and Michelle Spady of Imperial.
    Students in grades 6-8 can compete in the Patriot’s Pen competition each year. Essays must be between 300-400 words as they express their views on the theme.
    Judging is based on this criteria—Knowledge of theme 30 points, theme development 35 points and clarity of ideas 35 points.
    According to the VFW website, “The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society.”
    VFW Posts sponsor the Voice of Democracy competition for high school students, while the auxiliaries are the Patriot’s Pen sponsors, Moore said.