The Patriots Pen Essay contest is sponsored by the VFW and is open to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. Ms. Luaine Shaykett encouraged her students to write essays, Inspires and enter them into the contest. There were 50 entries in the contest titled “What Inspires Me to be an American” and the Voice of Democracy contest titled “What are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy”.
The winners of this year’s Patriots Pen Essay were Mesa Mangis, Nevada Donahey, and Jessie Bachman. Each of these students will receive $30. The Voice of Democracy winner is Jenna Yule, she will also receive $30.
Pictured here from the left are South Dakota VFW Commander David Baumiller, Jessie Bachman, Nevada Donahey, Mesa Mangis, Jenna Yule, and Nila Charles.