Commander John Wisniewski of the Elk River-Rogers Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5518 and Mary Touve, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, announced the winners of local youth essay competitions.
Students placed in the local patriotic essay competitions in the following categories.
Voice of Democracy
(9-12 grades)
Topic: My Vision for America. Entries received: 93 from Elk River High School.
- First: Grace Olson, 11th grade, Elk River High School. $100 check award.
- Second: Anna McGlone, 10th grade, Spectrum High School. $75 check award.
- Third: Elizabeth Brayden, 11th grade Elk River High School. $50 check award.
Olson’s and McGlone’s entries have been sent on to the district competition.
Patriot’s Pen
(6-8 grades)
Topic: What Freedom Means to Me. Entries received: Two from Spectrum.
- First: Grayden Snyder, eighth grade, Spectrum High School. $75 check award.
- Second: Caleb Rogers, eighth grade, Spectrum High School. $50 check award.
Grayden’s entry has been sent on to the district competition.
Fifth-grade Essay
Topic: Why We Say the Pledge of Allegiance. Entries received: 22 from Meadowvale Elementary School.
Awards: Small cash award and certificate.
- First: Emma Circa, fifth grade, Meadowvale Elementary.
- Second: Kaylyn Breyen, fifth grade, Meadowvale Elementary.
- Third: Rylee Donald, fifth grade, Meadowvale Elementary.
Emma’s essay has also been sent on to district.
Local awards will be given at 6 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Elk River American Legion, 525 Railroad Drive, Elk River.
For more information about the VFW Youth Programs, contact the Elk River-Rogers VFW Post 5518 Ladies Auxiliary youth activities chair Melody Shryock at 763-712-1873 or by email at mkshryock@gmail.com.