MONTE VISTA - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Posts and Auxiliaries in District 7 are proud to  announce the winners of this years. 2019-2020 “VOICE OF DEMOCRACY” and “PATRIOTS PEN” essays.

For the Voice of Democracy essay, Sargent High School senior Cole Seger placed First in Auxiliary 8121 level. He received $100.00 and a Certificate of Participation. Cole then advanced to  District 7, where he placed First and received $100.00.

His essay advanced to the Department(State) level where Cole placed Third in the State. The Department of Colorado VFW honored Cole with a Plaque and a $400.00 Scholarship.
Second place winner in the “Voice of Democracy” is Sargent High School student Akyia Rain Ross. She received $50.00 from Auxiliary 8121.

For the Patriots Pen essay, Sargent Middle School student Giovanni Aguilar placed First in Auxiliary 8121. He received a check for $100.00 and a Certificate of Participation. He also advanced to District 7 and placed First. Receiving another $100.00. His essay advanced to the Department  level.
Auxiliary 8121 places and pays the top five winners. Also in the Patriots Pen essay Sargent student Annabelle Heineman placed Second and received a certificate of Appreciation and $50.00. Sargent student Jordan R. Rockey placed Fourth and received a  Certificate of Appreciation and $15.00. Sargent student Garrett Thomson placed Fifth and a Certificate of Appreciation and $10.00. There was one Third place winner in the Patriots Pen essay from Del Norte Middle School, Noah Bailey received a Certificate of Appreciation and $25.00.

The “Voice of Democracy” is open to students in High School grades 9-12. The “Patriots Pen is open to students in Middle School grades 6-8.

The “Young Creative Patriotic Art” contest is open to students in the High School grades 9-12. Students talented in art are encouraged to enter this contest. The National First place winner receives a $10,000.00 Scholarship. The deadline for “Patriotic Art is March 31,2020.

The VFW posts and its Auxiliaries would like to encourage High Schools and Middle Schools to participate in our Scholarship programs. These essays are opened to public, private and parochial schools, as well as home schooling. Members of the VFW will be going to the schools at the beginning of the school year, with poster (with the new Theme) and entry forms. If any student is interested in getting a jump-start during the summer feel free to contact any VFW member. Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliaries would like to thank all the winners and all the participants who entered these Scholarship programs. A Special thanks to the Teachers for encouraging these students.

For more information or to contact a member the Scholarship Chairman are Auxiliary 8121 Del Norte/ So. Fork. Peggy Martinez—719-850-3066, Auxiliary 899 Alamosa Nadia Flores 719-580-0393 and Auxiliary 4849 Antonito, Veronica Knecht, 719-298-1914.

Top three winners for patriot pens - Garret Thomson, Annabelle Heineman, and Jordan Rockey from Sargent Middle School

Patriot pens winner Giovanni Aguilar/Sargent Middle School