The annual Voice of Democracy essay competition provides Wimberley High School students, grades nine through 12, with the opportunity to speak on freedom and democracy.
The nationwide, audio- essay competition requires entrants to write and record a threeto- five-minute essay on a patriotic-based theme. This year’s Voice of Democracy theme asked students to explain, “Why is the veteran important?” The Voice of Democracy scholarship competition is judged on three categories: originality in treatment of the theme, clear and organized content and clear and credible delivery voice.
Locally, Wimberley’s Oldham-Cummings Post 6441 awards $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third. The winning essay goes to the VFW district competition and can go on to state and national competitions with awards of up to $30,000 for winners.
Post 6441 VOD winners for 2022–2023 school year are: First Place: Grace Banks, 12th Grade Second Place: Chloe Seindle, 10th Grade Third Place: Ella Malone, 11th Grade These three winners will be awarded VFW Merit Certificates and Scholarships at the VFW Dinner meeting to be held at the Oldham- Cummings Post 6441 on Jan. 5, 2023.
Meanwhile, a similar competition was held for students at Danforth Junior High School in grades six through eight. The nationwide Patriot’s Pen essay competition is a companion program to the high school scholarship competition, requiring entrants to write a 300 to 400-word essay.
This year, students were asked to reflect on the phrase, “my pledge to our veterans.” The written essays were judged on three categories: knowledge of the theme; development of who, what, where and why; and clarity of the theme.
Post 6441 awards $300 for first place, $200 for second, $100 for third and $50 for fourth thru 10th place. The top essays go to the district competition. Students who win at state receive saving bonds, while the VFW national winner in the PatPen competition will receive a $5,000 award.
Post 6441 top PatPen winners for 2022–2023 school year are: First Place: Avianna Hershberger, 8th Grade Second Place: Doyle Banks, 7th Grade Third Place: Kate Sharp, 8th Grade Fourth Place: Quintin Bachanan, 8th Grade Fifth Place: Elizabeth Ripp, 8th Grade Sixth Place: Jack Malone, 8th Grade Seventh Place: Harper Cook, 7th Grade Eighth Place: Garner Sheffeld, 8th Grade Ninth Place: Katherine Gallagher, 7th Grade Tenth Place: Danika Patek, 7th Grade All winners will be awarded VFW Merit Certificates and Scholarships at Danforth Junior High on Dec. 5.
