VFW presents awards to students

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Topaz No. 3630 presented awards to students for their efforts in writing patriotic essays.

Voice of Democracy

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Topaz No. 3630 presented a plaque, certificate, pin and a $200 check to Joshua Page for his Voice of Democracy essay. The theme was "Freedom's Challenge" at Yerington High School.

This was the local award. If his essay had won district judging it would have gone to state for judging. All state winners receive a trip to Washington, D.C., plus many gifts and the top winner wins a $30,000 scholarship. All state winners receive money not less than $1,000.

Patriot's Pen

The VFW Topaz No. 3630 also presented a certificate and a $200 check to Brittany Jackson, first place for her Patriot's Pen essay. The theme was "Citizenship in America" at Yerington Middle School. Noemy Novoa won second place and received a certificate and a check for $150 and third place was Garrett Cockrell who received a certificate and a check for $100. There were 30 entries in this contest for intermediate and home-schooled students.

These are local awards from Topaz No. 3630. It is judged locally for the post, then goes to district judging and if it wins goes on to state judging. First place in the national contest is a $10,000 bond and each national contestant receives no less than a $1,000 bond.