Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
From left: Mike Thomas presents Jamie Brown with the Teacher of the Year award. Bill Tawater was also on hand for the presentation. Photo by Nikki Reese.
Second row from left: Mike Thomas, Thomas Sutton, Evelyn Smith, Victoria Rogers, Emily Sutton, Bill Tawater, (First row from left) Joslyn Hill, Quinn Mills, Willow Wages, Nora Zebal, and Kierra Hill, were on hand for the presentation of the Youth Essay and Patriots Pen award winners. Not pictured, Chance Phelps. Photo by Nikki Reese.
From left: Mike Thomas and Justin Tawater helped present the winners in the Voice of Democracy category: Rylie Wills, Ellen Hoogendorn, Parker Leitz, and Evelyn Hogie. Photo by Bill Tawater.
Working alongside America's youth and instilling a sense of patriotism has always been a VFW priority. Each year, local VFW posts hold three essay competitions: the Voice of Democracy for grades 9-12, the Patriots Pen for grades 6-8, the Youth Essay for grades 3-5, and a Teacher of the Year competition. Students write essays based on given patriotic themes, and the essays are evaluated by members of the local community.
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Wahkiakum High School, Post 5297 Youth Program Director Mike Thomas, Post 5297 Quartermaster Justin Tawater, and Post 5297 Commander Bill Tawater presented the certificates and monetary awards to the Post 5297 Voice of Democracy winners. Coming in first place was Rylie Wills, who won $200. Coming in second place were Parker Leitz and Ellen Hoogendorn, who each won $100. Coming in third place was Evelyn Hogue, who won $50.
On Wednesday, Dec 10, at Julius A. Wendt Elementary School and John C. Thomas Middle School, Thomas and Bill Tawater presented the certificates and monetary awards to the Post 5297 Youth Essay and Patriots Pen winners. For the third grade youth essay category, Joslyn Hill took first place, winning $75. Quinn Mills took second place, winning $50, and Willow Wages took third place, winning $25. For the fourth graders, Norah Zebal took first place, winning $75; Chance Phelps took second place, winning $50; and Kierra Hill took third place, winning $25. For the fifth graders, Thomas Sutton took first place, winning $75; Evelyn Smith took second place, winning $50; and Victoria Rogers took third place, winning $25. For the Patriots Pen category, seventh grader Emily Sutton took first place, winning $100.
On Thursday, Dec 18, at the John C, Thomas Middle School gym, Thomas and Bill Tawater presented a plaque, certificate, and $250 to the Post 5297 Teacher of the Year winner, Jamie Brown.
This year, 53 Youth essays, one Patriots Pen essay, six Voice of Democracy essays, and one teacher's name were submitted.
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