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Teachers, students recognized for patriotic efforts by VFW
LILBOURN, Mo. — Retired Air Force Col. James Russell, chairman of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1783’s School and Youth Committee, welcomed teachers, students and their families to the Post’s 2023 Fall Awards Banquet with a quote from former President Harry Truman.
“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand,” Russell quoted. The Post then honored the students for their imagination in their efforts in the VFW’s Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy programs and the teachers for their determination as they educate young people about America and patriotism.
According to Russell, this year’s competition for the Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen and Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education programs was very competitive. Also he noted the Post was awarding over $5,000 in prizes to the winners.
Leading the presentations was the Patriotic Teacher of the Year awards. Each of the VFW Post 7183 winners received a certificate of recognition, a “Golden Apple” plaque and $500.
From New Madrid County, the winners were Janet Compere for the kindergarten through fifth grade division, Heather Warren for the sixth through eighth grade division and Scott Norman for the ninth through 12 grade division. All three are members of the Portageville School District.
Gwenalee Olinger with St. Teresa Catholic School was the winner for the sixth through eighth grade Division for Dunklin County.
The Patriot’s Pen essay contest is open to students in sixth through eighth grade. This year’s participants wrote essays on the theme of “How Are You Inspired by America.”
Prizes were awarded to participants from New Madrid and Dunklin counties with all winners receiving a certificate of recognition and a Patriot’s Pen backpack. In addition the first place winner earned $400 while second place had a $200 prize and third place winner received $100.
Portageville Middle School swept the New Madrid County awards with first place going to Ava Scherer; second place, Zariah Haynes; and third place, Blaire Moylan.
Winning from Dunklin County were: first place, Jaska Maddacks; second place, Kelsey Kerpenon; and third place, Kendell Baden. All are students at St. Teresa School.
High school students created an audio essay for the Voice of Democracy contest. This year’s theme was “What are the Greatest Attributes of our Democracy?”
Winners received a certificate of recognition, a Voice of Democracy backpack and cash awards of $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $125 for third place.
Portageville High School also swept the New Madrid County Division with first place going to William Stinnett; second place, Wyatt Stinnett; and third place, Julianna Priggel. The Dunklin County winners were: first place, Raylee Harmon, Clarkton High School; second place, Jasmine Day, Clarkton High School; and third place, Rita-Joy Wheeler, Campbell High School.
Prior to the presentation of awards, Quincy Myrick, a U.S. Army veteran and the Missouri VFW Department junior vice commander, spoke. Myrick began by praising VFW Post 7183, noting already they have logged over 50 community service activities this year.
“What we do for veterans is important but tonight we are here about you,” she continued. “We are here for the students and educators to let you know how much you mean to us because you are our future.”
Myrick explained the Teacher of the Year program celebrates the educators who teach the history, traditions and the role of veterans in creating and shaping America.
“We need to teach the future leaders about patriotism and honoring those who helped carved the way for them. Our educators help our youth grow into patriotic Americans, much like those we are honoring this evening,” she said.
The Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy programs provide scholarships and incentives for the participants, Myrick said. She noted that each year nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than one million dollars in educational scholarships and incentives with each state’s first place winner treated to a trip to Washington, D.C., in the spring for a special awards ceremony. The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship.
Myrick concluded her remarks by urging the young people to continue to compete in the programs. She advised the students that the themes for the 2024 contests will be announced next spring at the conclusion of the national awards ceremony.