Veterans of Foreign Wars District 16 recognize local students in essay contest

On Saturday, January 4th at the Cowlitz Valley VFW Post 1045 in Longview, Veterans of Foreign Wars District 16 presented certificates and cash awards to winners of the 2024-2025 Youth Essay (grades 3-5), Patriots Pen (grades 6-8), and Voice of Democracy (grades 9-12) essay contests. District 16 Commander Chuck Zandecki, District 16 Auxiliary President Tom Huffman, and District 16 Youth Program Director Doreen Dale made the presentations.

District 16 is comprised of six Posts within the Southwest Washington area: Post 1045, Longview; Post 2200, Chehalis; Post 3721, Long Beach; Post 5297, Cathlamet; Post 5439, Mossyrock; and Post 10882, Toutle. Winners from the local Posts were forwarded to District 16 and judged.

The Youth Essay winners in the District 16 competition are third graders Ari Hansen of Wahkaikum (third place $15), Savannah Weather (second place, $25) and Lakelyn Wall (first place, $50.) Fourth grade winners were Kendall Marsyla of Wahkiakum (third place, $15), Brody Thornley (second place, $25) and Payton Cavanaugh (first place, $50.) Winners from the fifth grade were Paxton Hoff (third place, $15), Laney Triana (second place, $25) and Haven Gemeno of Wahkiakum (first place, $50.)

Patriots Pen winners were Chloe Sutton of Wahkiakum (third place, $50), Quin Gould (second place, $75) and Emily Wirkkala who won first place and $100.

Voice of Democracy winners were Sierra Williams (third place, $75), Karsen Green (second place, $100) and first place winner Sadie Chapman who earned $150.

All first place winners will progress to the Washington State level. Afterwards, all first place Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy winners then progress to the National level. First place Patriots Pen winners are awarded at least $500 at the State level and $5,000 at the National level. First place Voice of Democracy winners are awarded at least $1,000 at the State level and $35,000 at the National level. District 16 awarded $820 of which $130 was awarded to Wahkiakum students. Wahkiakum Post 5297 presented Post awards on Wednesday, Dec 17th in the student’s classrooms and awarded $975 to Wahkiakum students. The Post received 44 Youth Essays, 17 from the third grade, six from the fourth grade and 21 from the fifth grade. Only three Patriots Pen essays were received, one each from the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. There were no Voice of Democracy essays submitted from the High School.

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generations. Students are encouraged to participate in the Youth Essay, Patriots Pen, and Voice of Democracy essay programs and win their share of more than one million dollars in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.