Shown with VFW Post 1963 Auxiliary President Peggy Moore and Post 1963 Adjutant Tom McCool are essay winners, from left, Myka Morris, 8th grade, Layla Mitchell, 7th grade, and Nora McMahon, 8th grade. (Photo courtesy of Sea Isle City)
Each year, America’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) host a “Patriot’s Pen” national writing competition for students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
The contest encourages young writers to explore American history and intertwine their own experiences and feelings in a 300- to 400-word essay. Once the essays are submitted to nearby VFWs, judging takes place by local, district, state and national judges.
The theme for this year’s Patriot’s Pen competition was “My Voice in America’s Democracy.”
On Feb. 5, representatives from Sea Isle City’s VFW Post 1963 gathered at Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School in Clermont to honor 34 local students who participated in this year’s Patriot’s Pen contest.
During an assembly inside the school gymnasium, Post 1963 Adjutant Tom McCool introduced the students and (with the assistance of volunteers from Post 1963’s Auxiliary) presented each with a commemorative “Patriot’s Pen” water bottle and pen.
McCool announced that eighth grader Myka Morris was chosen as Post 1963’s first place winner, which came with a cash prize of $300. Nora McMahon, an eighth grader, received the second-place prize of $200. Layla Mitchell, a seventh grader, received third-place honors and $100. Each of the winning students also received a certificate of achievement and a medal from Post 1963.
“It’s very enlightening to see that these kids understand the subject matter for this competition,” said veteran Mark Lloyd, a former commander at VFW Post 1963 and the current organizer of the Patriot’s Pen competition for VFW District 17.
“It’s fascinating to know that not only do students at their age realize how democracy works, but they also understand that we are all in this together – and that’s very encouraging. Perhaps the future of our country is in better hands than many people think,” Lloyd added.
McCool also announced that the Patriot’s Pen judges for VFW District 17 (which consists of VFW Posts in Cape May and Atlantic counties) had chosen Layla Mitchell as District 17’s first place winner, and Nora McMahon as the district’s second place winner.
Layla was invited to read her essay to the assembly.
“There are many important issues in America, issues that our parents tell us not to worry about – but America is my home. I think it’s my job to know about the problems and begin thinking about how we can solve them,” Layla said.
To learn more about VFW Post 1963, go to www.vfwpost1963.com or visit Post 1963’s headquarters at 301 JFK Boulevard in Sea Isle City.
