Pictures with their stack of 603 Patriot’s Pen essays to judge are left to right final judges Sharon and Terry Spahr, Tom Whittenberg, VFW Scholarship Coordinator and Bob and Sue Shields.
Sandra Whittenberg
Each year the National VFW Sponsors the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program for high school students and the Patriot’s Pen Scholarship Program for junior high students.
This year Sun Lakes VFW Post 8053 was delighted to receive more than 600 essays from students attending Chandler High, Hamilton High, Bogle Junior High and Chandler Traditional Academy.
Nationally, the VFW receives approximately 40,000 entries from high school students competing for $2.1 million in scholarships and incentives, plus awards along the way from local, district and state VFW posts. High school students must submit a written and recorded audio message. Their theme for this year is Why Veterans Are Important to Our Nation’s History and Future. The grand prize winner receives a $30,000.00 scholarship.
Junior high students submit approximately 102,000 written essay entries annually for the National Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest. Their theme this year is Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans. After advancing through local, district and state VFW competitions, the grand prize Patriot’s Pen winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Junior high students must submit written essays, not to exceed 400 words.
In addition to their cash prize both national winners receive an all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. for themselves and a parent or guardian!
Sun Lakes VFW Post 8053 proudly announces their local winners listed below!
Voice of Democracy
First Place – Priyanka Sethia, Hamilton High School 12th grade
Second Place – Julie Thamby, Chandler High School 11th grade
Third Place – Justin Zhu, Hamilton High School 10th grade
Honorable Mention – Seth Chun, Chandler High School 9th grade
Honorable Mention – Nicole R. Darmawaskita, Hamilton High School 11th grade
Patriot’s Pen
First Place – Ryan Patrick Figueroa, Bogle Junior High School 7th grade
Second Place – Tanner Hamblin, Chandler Traditional Academy 6th grade
Third Place – Fiona Krieger, Bogle Junior High School 7th grade
Honorable Mention – Nathan B. Gong, Chandler Traditional Academy 6th grade
Honorable Mention – Taylor H. Garcia, Bogle Junior High School 8th grade
Honorable Mention – Hannah Szoke, Bogle Junior High School 8th grade
Honorable Mention – Caeleb M. Klinkhammer, Bogle Junior High School 7th grade
Sun Lakes VFW Post 8053 congratulates these winners, along with their parents, their teachers and their schools!