| VFW
contest winners are named
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 “My Responsibility to America.” The first-place speech winner is a home-schooled junior, Madison Rehder, daughter of Joe and Charlene Rehder. Second place is a Prairie high school senior, Faith Uhlenkott, daughter of Ryan & Heather Uhlenkott. Rounding out the top three is Summit Academy senior, Allycia Sonnen, daughter of Allen and Michelle 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, “The America I Believe in.” First place winner is Prairie seventh grade student Evan Schwartz, son of Jared and Annmarie Schwartz. The second-place award winner is Prairie eighth grade student, Kerri Villamor, daughter of Dwayne and Kristina Villamor. The final award winner for Patriot’s Pen is Prairie seventh grade student, Steven (Zach) Rambo, son of Jason and Megan Rambo. Thanks to Thia vanHouten and Charlene Hunter for prescreening over sixty Patriot’s Pen essays, and to Marilyn Lerandeau, Colleen Wilson, and Marge Arnzen for completing the final judging. Also thanks to the City of Cottonwood, and the Cottonwood Community Library for the use of their facility for judging the awards. Thank you to the parents, teachers, and students for overwhelming turnout this year. These awards are key criteria for our local VFW post’s All-State standing and I am proud to have the support of such a great community. Joe Riener, Post Commander. |
 |