Local students honored in annual VFW Patriot’s Pen® Essay Contest & Voice of Democracy® Scholarship Program

Front row L-R: Lillianna Bushendorf, Helena Erickson, Levi Behm, Isaiah Bushendorf. Back row L-R: Levi Vasey, Commander William Foslid, Adjunct/Quartermaster Marlin Severson, Secretary/Treasurer Judy Severson / submitted photo

Each year, students in sixth through eighth grades are invited to participate in the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen® annual youth essay contest, locally sponsored by VFW Post #1039 and its Auxiliary.

The contest encourages young writers to reflect on America’s history and their personal experiences in today’s society. Students submit a 300- to 400-word essay based on a patriotic theme selected by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. This year’s theme was “My Voice in America’s Democracy.”

The 2024-25 local winners are:

1st Place: Lillianna Bushendorf

2nd Place: Levi Behm

3rd Place: Helena Erickson

Honorable Mentions: Levi Vasey and Isaiah Bushendorf

L-R: Megan Hansen, Commander William Foslid, Trustee/Historian Kim Foslid, and Selah Vasey. Missing from the picture is Miles Ogden / submitted photo

Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy® has been the premier scholarship program of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students across the country participate, competing for more than $2 million in scholarships and awards. Students enter the contest by writing and recording an audio essay based on a patriotic theme. This year’s theme is: “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?”

Locally, the Voice of Democracy program is sponsored by VFW Post #1039 and its Auxiliary.

This year's winners are:

1st place: Selah Vasey

2nd place: Miles Ogden

3rd place: Megan Hansen

Submitted information.