In a heartwarming display of community support and recognition, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 845 recently celebrated the achievements of local school students by awarding prizes for three separate contests. An awards banquet was held at the VFW post on Saturday, March 23, that brought together students, parents and other family members, and veterans to acknowledge the talent and dedication of the young participants.
The Voice of Democracy Contest requires the student to write an essay and make a voice recording of that essay. The voice recording is then submitted in an audio file on a thumb drive to be heard by the contest judges. Winning submissions at the post level are forwarded for additional judging at the district, state, and national levels.
The theme of the 2023 – 2024 Voice of Democracy Contest was, "What Are the Greatest Attributes of our Democracy?” The winner for Post 845 was Owen Griffith of Avon Grove Charter School in West Grove, PA. Owen’s prize as the post’s first place winner was $300.
The post received 53 entries for the Patriot’s Pen Contest from Scott Middle School, Coatesville; Lionville Middle School, Downingtown; Pope John Paul II Elementary School, Coatesville; and several home-schooled students. The theme of this year’s contest was, "How Are You Inspired by America?”
Post judges awarded $300 to 1st place winner, Marley Hodge; $200 to 2nd place winner, Rutviij Casula; and $100 to 3rd place winner Amani Patel. Those winning entries were submitted to District 9 judges who selected Rutviij Casula as their 1st place winner and bestowed a prize of $300. District 9 forwarded their winners to the PA State VFW which selected Rutviij as their 2nd place winner and honored him with a prize of $750!
The Youth Coloring Contest asked youngsters to color in a picture of the Statue of Liberty. The elementary school students expressed their artistic talents and patriotism in some cases by embellishing the basic outline with additional artwork of their own. Winners were selected for each grade. Winners are: Shea Crouse, 1st grade; Sofia Mendoza Caceres, 2nd grade; Cole Worthy, 3rd grade; Katelyn Seybert, 4th grade; and Brayden Nguyen, 5th grade. Each grade winner was presented a $50 check along with a certificate of special recognition for their creative contribution to our National Heritage through the expression of Art.
The event concluded with heartfelt words of gratitude from VFW Post 845 members to the students, teachers, and community members who made the contests possible. By providing a platform for young voices to be heard and talents to be celebrated, the VFW reaffirmed its commitment to honoring veterans and supporting the next generation of leaders.
