VFW holds VOD and Patriot’s Pen Awards Banquet
Photo by Shari Harris
From left, VFW Post 6337 Commander Billie Krewson; Lily Godi, of Licking, Voice of Democracy winner; Cameron Jones, of Success, first place Patriot’s Pen winner; Savanna Evetts, of Raymondville, first place Patriot’s Pen winner; Khloe Murray, of Success, second place Patriot’s Pen winner; River Vaughan, of Success, third place Patriot’s Pen winner; Tohbyas Smith, of Raymondville, third place Patriot’s Pen winner; and Auxiliary President Tina Sisco.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
Licking Memorial VFW Post 6337 held their annual awards banquet for winners of the local Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests on Monday, February 17.
Three students from Raymondville School and three students from Success School were awarded first, second and third place awards in the Patriot’s Pen competition. One high school student from Licking participated in the Voice of Democracy contest.
From Raymondville, Savanna Evetts was awarded first place for her essay on how she is using her voice in America’s democracy. She explained how even the youth of America can make their voices heard. She concluded by saying, “Thank you to all of our veterans for letting me have and use my voice in America’s democracy.”
Also from Raymondville, Kimber Mosley received second place and Tohbyas Smith third place.
From Success, Cameron Jones was the first place winner. She emphasized voting and community involvement as important ways to have her voice heard in America’s democracy. “When we all use our voices, we can create meaningful change and build a society that reflects the needs of everyone,” she concluded.
Other Success winners were Khloe Murray, who was awarded second place and River Vaughan, who received the third place award.
Lily Godi, of Licking, won the Voice of Democracy competition. She presented her entry, “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?” Godi contrasted the original concerns of the forefathers with the concerns of the country’s leaders today. The focus was on the growth and survival of our own nation then. Today the country faces many complex relationships with other nations. She compared the human trafficking issues of today with the slavery issues in the first several decades of the country’s existence. Godi included the forefathers’ trust in God over trust in each other, because people fail, God does not. She asked, “Where do we find our life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness? Hopefully, the way our forefathers envisioned: with love for each other and for the Father.”
Winners who attended the banquet presented their essays to their families and the veterans and auxiliary members. Plato students and one winner from Raymondville were unable to attend the banquet.
In addition to thanking the students for their efforts, VFW Commander Billie Krewson presented each with their awards and thanked the faculty at Raymondville – Charlene Bever, and Success – Sharon Greathouse, for encouraging their students to participate in the essay contest.
Photos by Shari Harris
