Students, techer win VFW awards

Submitted by Bill Tawater

VFW Post 5297

On Feb. 20 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars State Mid-Winter Conference, the local winners of the Youth Essay, Patriots Pen and Teacher of the Year competitions were announced.

For the Youth Essay, Wendt Elementary School third grader Olivia Johnson, who won first place in post and district competition, placed third place in state. Fourth grader Konner Reese, who won post and district contests, placed first in state.

For the Patriots Pen, seventh grader Brayden Hilton, who won post and district competition, placed first in state and will compete at the national level.

For Teacher of the Year, Don Cox, Wahkiakum High School Teacher, who was selected at the post level, and received award on Feb. 18, placed first in district and state and will now compete at the national level.

Photos of Olivia Johnson, Konner Reese and Brayden Hilton taken by Nikki Reese. Don Cox photo taken by Brent Freeman.