VFW awards students for Americanism essays

The women of the VFW Post 1655 Ladies Auxiliary hosted its annual Americanism essay awards banquet for the top six elementary essay writers at the VFW Monday night.

Third and fourth grade students in the district were asked to participate in the annual event, which is designed to encourage the youth to think about their own patriotism as well as inform them on American history.

As part of a national VFW project, the essays had a 50 to 75 word limit for third-graders and 75 to 100 word limit for fourth-graders. Participants were also instructed to put their name and information on the back side of the their essay to ensure anonymity.

The third-graders were encourage to write on the theme “I love America” and the fourth-graders on “Freedom — What it Means to Me.”

In the third-grade competition, Thomas Jefferson Elementary students Isaac Alexander received first place, Claire Breuer received second place and Emily Lyman received third place.

In the fourth-grade competition, Woodrow Wilson Elementary students Nathan Bouck received first place and Whitney Critchfield received second place. Nolan Miage received third place, from Aurora Heights Elementary.

Students were awarded a certification and cash for each prize level.

“If it weren’t for the military, we probably wouldn’t have our freedom. My cousin is in the Marines, along with thousands of male and female privates. So if you like your freedom, thank a veteran or one of the many men and women who risk their lives to keep us free,” fourth-grade essay winner Bouck said.

The VFW Ladies Auxiliary of Newton has been in existence since 1930 and has encouraged Americanism and patriotism in the young students and family participation since that time.

“I consider kids in those age groups to be sponges because they absorb all sorts of information,” Post 1655 Americanism Chairman Elsie Graham said. “It’s an important time for them to learn and they often time doesn’t get those values at home.”

VFW Post 1655 Ladies Auxiliary members Graham, along with president Dodie Waiksnis, Rose Butler and Sandra Clark took part in organizing the event. Butler, Clark and Ellen Howell were essay judges.

“Our whole class got really excited about this opportunity. We felt this was a great way for our students to really think about our country and why they love it,” TJ third grade co-teacher Lucinda Sinclair said, along with co-teacher Megan Frehse.

“Issac, Claire and Emily did a great job and we’re so proud of them. We were also excited to get the opportunity to attend the banquet with them and their families.”