The Veterans of Foreign Wars in its dedication to promoting patriotism and investing in future generations has offers youth scholarships through an essay contest called the Patriot’s Pen. The Tri-Community VFW Post 9415 has been hosting the essay contest for several years, recognizing patriotic youth within the community. The Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Contest is open to sixth through eighth-grade students and receives more than 125,000 nationwide entries annually. Each student must compose an essay of 300-400 words based on America’s history and their own experiences in modern American society. They compete at the local, regional, state, and national levels with each state winner receiving a minimum of $500 with the national winner receiving $5,000. This year’s overall theme was “My Pledge To Our Veterans”
Three finalists were selected which were all from Pinon Mesa Middle School. The finalist and their families were invited to attend a special awards ceremony held during the VFW’s popular Friday Night Steak Dinner. Prior to the event, VFW members reviewed the essays and picked a first place winner.
Alexa Curtis, a Pinon Mesa Middle School eighth grader won first place and received a check for $100. She is 14 years old and hails from Phelan. Her essay talked about the importance of respecting our veterans and how you should show that respect. Alexa likes to write and is looking forward to starting high school next year in the Medical Pathway as she one day hopes to become a Pediatric Surgeon.
Finalist, Melanie Davis has lived in Wrightwood for the past nine years. She is also an eight grader at Pinon Mesa Middle School. Her essay explains why she thinks veterans should get more for their sacrifice and how they [veterans] don’t ask for anything in return for that sacrifice. She enjoys band and creative writing.
Tori Allison was the third finalist. She is 14 year old Eight Grader from Pinon Mesa Middle School who lives in Pinon Hills wrote her essay about why we should appreciate veterans, visit their memorials and give them respect when you see them. Her interest include Physics, Geometry, Color Guard and English. She wants to pursue a career in the medical field.
