VFW, auxiliary list scholarship contest winners

The audio-essay and essay writing programs are based on some aspect of democracy.
NEWTON FALLS -- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3332, 433 Arlington Blvd., was the setting March 19 for the District Eight Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen awards banquet held to honor the winners of the contests.
The Voice of Democracy youth scholarship program is an audio-essay contest. It was started by the National Association of Broadcasters in 1946 and co-sponsored by the VFW, until 1960 when the VFW and auxiliary became sole sponsors.
The program has been expanded with the cooperation of teachers and is open to students in the ninth through 12th grades.
Scholarships and financial awards are available at local, district, state and national levels.
The winners
This year District Eight was represented by 23 entries. The format required the contestant to write and record a three- to five-minute essay based on theme, "How I Demonstrate My Freedom." The top five winners were:
First place: Laura Gump, a senior at Howland High School, sponsored by Niles VFW Post 2074. She received a $1,000 scholarship from the Department of Ohio VFW.
Second place: Carol Ann Pitcairn, a senior at Western Reserve High School, sponsored by VFW Post 9571 and Auxiliary.
Third place: Emily Buzelli, a senior at Bishop Hoban High School, sponsored by Cuyahoga Falls VFW Post 1062 and Auxiliary.
Fourth place: Allison Hoard, a senior at Field High School, sponsored by Mogadore VFW Post 8487 and Auxiliary.
Fifth place: Rebecca O'Dell, a senior at Matthews High School, sponsored by Vienna VFW Post 3521.
The theme for the Patriot's Pen youth essay writing contest this year was "Who are Today's Patriots?" There were 22 entries representing District Eight in the contest, which is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and is open to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students for financial awards at local, district, state and national levels. The top five winners were:First place: Willie Dean Chapman, seventh grader at LaBrae Middle School, sponsored by Warren VFW Post 1909 and Auxiliary.
Second place: Nicole Wiersteiner, seventh grader at
Alliance West Branch Middle School, sponsored by Sebring VFW Post 6730 and Auxiliary.
Third place: Austin Jarvi, seventh-grade student at Mantua Crestview Middle School.
Fourth place: Ashley Hafner, eighth-grade student at Jackson Milton School, sponsored by Ellsworth VFW Post 9571 and Auxiliary.
Each student received an award presented by the chairmen, Robert Osthoff and Edith Lowden of Mogadore VFW 8487 Auxiliary.
District Eight Auxiliary was represented by Candy Brooks of West Farmington VFW 7200 Auxiliary, district president; Patti Gavin of Akron VFW 8975 Auxiliary, junior vice president; Ann McGrath, president of Warren VFW 1090 Auxiliary; Nancy Horner, president of Sebring VFW 6730 Auxiliary; and Marjorie Watson, president of Mogadore VFW 8487 Auxiliary.