Russ Pankonin | Johnson Publications
Four of the six winners in the 2021-22 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests attended Sunday’s Veterans Day dinner at the VFW Post in Imperial. Students with VFW and Auxiliary officials pictured are, from left, Destry Russell, Tucker Mollendor, Past State Auxiliary President Carol Thompson, Imperial Auxiliary President Sue Moore, Ava McNair, Olivia Spady and Post Commander Bud Statz. Not pictured—Morgan Peterson and Ashlyn Heermann.
Student writers advance to district VFW contests
Students who placed in this year’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests were announced at Sunday’s annual Veterans Day dinner at the Imperial VFW Post 4688.
The local winners this year and their awards include:
Voice of Democracy—1st Morgan Peterson, senior, $150; 2nd Ava McNair, freshman, $125; 3rd Olivia Spady, freshman, $100.
Patriot’s Pen—1st Tucker Mollendor, $125; 2nd Destry Russell, $100; 3rd Ashlyn Heermann $75. All are 8th graders.
Each year, the VFW Post sponsors the high school student Voice of Democracy contest, while the auxiliary coordinates the Patriot’s Pen competition for grades 6-8.
The 2021-22 Voice of Democracy theme is “America: Where Do We Go From Here?” They are judged from an audio reading on originality (30 pts), content (35) and delivery (35).
Patriot’s Pen entries this year followed the theme “How Can I Be A Good American?” Students wrote essays judged on knowledge of theme (30 pts), theme development (35) and clairty of ideas (35).
Peterson’s and Mollendor’s entries advanced to the District 4 contest being judged this week, said Sue Moore, Imperial VFW Auxiliary president.
The first place district winners will then advance to the state competition. Winners there go on to nationals. Additional cash prizes will be awarded at the district, state and national levels.
Students who were able to attend Sunday’s dinner read their essays to the estimated 50 people present.
Carol Thompson of Wauneta, a member of the Palisade VFW Post Auxiliary, gave the evening’s Invocation and Benediction. Thompson is also a past Nebraska State VFW Auxiliary President.