ASHTABULA – A group of Pymatuning Valley Local Schools students, as well as a teacher at Jefferson Area Junior High School, recently were honored by the Ashtabula Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 943.
On Dec. 12, the Ashtabula Post of the VFW held a ceremony awarding scholarships through the Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen and VFW Teacher of the Year programs, shared Mark Baker, commander of Ashtabula VFW Post 943.
Winners of the Voice of Democracy Program were awarded scholarships of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 for a 3- to 5-minute speech.
The Patriot’s Pen award winners received $1,000 and $500 for a written essay.
Additionally, the VFW Auxiliary awarded each student $100.
This year, over 50 students participated in the program, with the winners advancing to the VFW District 7 competition, shared Baker.
Patriot’s Pen winners included:
• 1st place, Ella Moores
• 2nd place, Ally Creed
• 3rd place, Abby DiBell
Voice of Democracy winners included:
• 1st place, Elizabeth Jernigan
• 2nd place, Karis Payton
• 3rd place, Rylee Young
Ashley Ledford, a Pymatuning Valley Middle School teacher, integrates the essay program into her Social Studies curriculum, Baker shared.
Jefferson Area Local Schools substitute teacher John King was awarded $1,000 for his lifelong teaching career and his work in history education as an Abraham Lincoln reenactor. King also advances to a District 7 competition.
In addition to the post officers, the ceremony was attended by VFW District 7 Auxiliary President Mary Sawicki and District 7 Past Commander Luther Sawicki.
“A congressionally chartered organization, the VFW’s purpose is fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable and educational. The Federal charter explicitly states one of its core purposes is to foster true patriotism,” Baker shared. “The VFW recognizes that patriotism involves more than symbolic gestures; it requires striving for a nation that is both righteous and strong, and through these programs actively support the teaching of American history and constitutional values.”
