VFW, Auxiliary of Post 4117 honor top entries in annual youth essay contest

The Lawrence D. Anderson VFW Post #4117 and the VFW Auxiliary held an awards program February 8 for their annual youth essay contest winners. Refreshments were served following the awards program.

A total of 216 entries from fourth through sixth grades were received for the "I Love America Because" essay contest from students at St. Patrick's Elementary, East Elementary, and Waterville Elementary schools within the Allamakee Community School District. First-, second-, and third-place winners for each grade level read their essays and received awards.

Fourth-grade winners were: 1st place - Jordan Wolfe, son of Dave and Vicky Wolfe; 2nd place - Brookelyn Adam, daughter of Ron and Sherie Adam; and 3rd place - Sammi Manning, daughter of Ellen Manning-Puffer and Dennis Manning.

Fifth grade winners were: 1st place - Casey Cota, son of Dave and Karen Cota; 2nd place - Lars Sivesind, son of Dan and Jane Sivesind; and 3rd place - Stephanie Martin, daughter of Bill and Jerri Martin.

Sixth grade winners were: 1st place - Rosemary ReVoir, daughter of Bruce and Mary Lynn ReVoir; 2nd place - Ciara Oder, daughter of Scott and Roxanne Oder; and 3rd place - Keith Evanson, son of Steve and Sheryl Evanson.

Local winning essays were entered in the district contest in January, where Jordan Wolfe and Rosemary ReVoir each received first-place awards and advanced to the state level of competition. At the state level, Wolfe’s essay earned a second-place honoring. Respective district and department awards were also presented to Wolfe and ReVoir at the local February 8 program.

The Patriot's Pen essay contest, sponsored by the VFW post, was also held in the fall for seventh and eighth grade students from the Allamakee Community School District and Postville School District. The theme for this year's essay was "What Service to Our Country Means to Me."

Awards were presented to the winning students from Allamakee Junior High School, St. Patrick's School and Postville Middle School. First-place essays were read by the students, and awards presented to the top three placewinners from each school by VFW Post Commander Jerry Halverson on behalf of the sponsoring Post. Recognition certificates were also presented to the teachers assisting with the essay contest, Kathy Hay at Allamakee Junior High, Michelle Tryggestad at St. Patrick's School, and Daryl Schultz at Postville Middle School.

Winners at St. Patrick's School were: 1st place - Kasey Manning, 8th grade daughter of Ellen Manning-Puffer and Dennis Manning; 2nd place - Bob Cota, 8th grade son of Ron and Brigid Cota; and 3rd place - Justin Leppert, 8th grade son of Andy and Tammy Leppert.

Winners at Allamakee Junior High School were: 1st place - Kira Pratte, 8th grade daughter of Bud and Karen Pratte; 2nd place - Courtney Kious, 7th grade daughter of Kirk and Linda Kious; and 3rd place - Jordan Ashbacher, 8th grade son of Larry and Lisa Ashbacher.

Winners at Postville Middle School were: 1st place - Jenna Brincks, 8th grade daughter of Dennis and Janice Brincks; 2nd place - Brittany Lenth, 6th grade daughter of Terry and DeAnn Lenth; and 3rd place - Hayley Dougherty, 7th grade daughter of Pat and Darcy Dougherty.

Awards for the “Voice of Democracy” contest, which is open to 9th through 12th grade students, were also made. The theme for this year’s “Voice of Democracy” audio essay was “Celebrating Our Veterans’ Service”. This year’s winning entry was submitted by John Walleser, Allamakee Junior High 9th grade son of Nancy Walleser. He presented his audio essay and received an award and certificate from Post Commander Jerry Halverson.

Surrounding this article, and on the next page, are photos and the entries of the top essayists in each of the above-named categories of the contest.

For full coverage and photos pick up this weeks edition of the Waukon Standard newspaper!