GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – The annual Patriots Pen essay contest, promoted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Gridley Post 5731, yielded an excited victor in Ms. Shawnacy McGilvray.

The theme of the 2021-22 Patriots Pen contest, which is open to students in grades 6th-8th, was “How Can I Be a Good American”. Students from surrounding schools in Richvale, Biggs, Gridley, and Manzanita were urged to take part in this essay contest that promotes patriotism in the Nation’s youth and “encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society” according to the website, www.vfw10380.org/scholarship-2/.

McGilvray, an 8th grade student from Manzanita School would be the winner of this year’s contest. Her essay was chosen as first place by a committee of VFW members serving as judges. McGilvray was awarded a certificate and cash prize of $100.00 from VFW Post 5731 Quartermaster and Adjutant, Ron Scheyer, on February 28th, 2022.

Scheyer says that the importance of essay contests such as Patriots Pen is to provide youth with “a chance to research a little bit of history.” He continues, “It also gives them an opportunity to better appreciate what they have in this country.”

McGilvray’s essay will represent VFW Post 5731 as winner as it moves onward to the District Level of competition.