Winner for Patriots and Democracy
Jan 26, 2023 12:00AM ● By Story and photos by Seti Long
Sycamore School students participated in the Patriots Pen essay contest sponsored by the VFW. Pictured left to right: VFW Post 5731 Commander Ed Kawasaki, first place winner Lila Wheeler, second place winner Jonathon Ornelas, third place winner Ammara Khan, and VFW Post Chaplan, Norris Anderson.
GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 5731 visited local schools to present awards to youth that participated in the Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy contests.
Each year, these nation-wide contests invite youth to think about and write or submit audio essays on patriotic themes with the chance to win monetary compensations or scholarships.
VFW Commander Ed Kawasaki said competition was tough this year, and the Gridley VFW selected out of area judges to choose the winners to eliminate bias. Commander Kawasaki said that it took judges hours to name the winners of both Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy.
This year, Patriots Pens essay contest asked students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades to write on the theme “My Pledge to Our Veterans.” Sycamore School Teacher Ms. Solis had her class submit essays to the competition and three winners were selected from those that participated.
On Monday, January 23rd, Commander Kawasaki and post member Norris Anderson presented certificates of appreciation, medals and monetary awards to this year’s winners. First place went to Lila Wheeler, Jonathon Ornelas took second place, and Ammara Khan placed third.
The representatives from VFW then met with the post’s 2nd place winner from Gridley High School, Gracie Gonzalez. The senior submitted and audio essay on the Voice of Democracy’s 2022-2023 theme, “Why is the Veteran Important.” She thanked both Kawasaki and Norris, saying that it was an “honor” to participate and cited her late grandfather, John Busch, who she says inspired and instilled a sense of patriotism in her life. Gonzalez was awarded a certificate of appreciation, medal, and check.
Not present that day were VFW Post 5731 Voice of Democracy’s winners for first place and third place, both students from Live Oak Peak Charter Academy. First place went to Janae Fleshman and third place was secured by Apple Conley. VFW Post 5731 plans to recognize these outstanding students with their medals, certificates of appreciation and monetary awards at a later date.
