| VFW
announces education winners
The Richard Jacobs VFW Post 4902, based in Cottonwood is proud to announce this year’s student education award winners. The Voice of Democracy competition is a three to five-minute speech with high school participants in grades nine through twelve. The theme this year was “American History: Our Hope for the Future.” The first-place speech winner is a Prairie high school senior, Molly Schwartz, daughter of Jared and Annmarie Schwartz. Second place is a Summit Academy sophomore, Erin Chmelik, daughter of Jim and Colleen Chmelik. Rounding out the top three is Summit Academy sophomore, Jessie Sonnen, daughter of Norm and Julie Sonnen. The Patriot’s Pen is a 300 to 400-word essay, written by sixth, seventh, and eight grade students. The theme for the essay was, “America’s Gift to My Generation.” First place winner is Summit Academy seventh grade student Makayla Rose, daughter of Bo and Amy Rose. The second-place award winner is Prairie elementary school eighth grade student, Evan Schwartz, son of Jared and Annmarie Schwartz. The final award winner for Patriot’s Pen is Prairie elementary school seventh grade student, Mary Schwartz, also a daughter of Jared and Annmarie Schwartz. The Schwartz family children won the trifecta this year, with winners in both categories and a first, second, and third place finish! This year’s Teacher of the Year award in K-5 goes to Becky Higgins of Prairie Elementary school. Thank you to this year’s judges, Nancy Uptmor, and Naomi Laurino. Also thanks to the City of Ferdinand mayor, Scott Oliver, and clerk, Angie Riener for the use of their council chambers to judge this year’s awards. Thank you to the parents, teachers, and students for overwhelming turnout again this year. These awards are some key criteria for our local VFW post’s All-State standing, and I am honored to have the support of such a great community. Joe Riener, Post Commander. |
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