News : V-S holds the top number of essays submitted in Statewide VFW Contest

Zachary Kuhn’s essay won 1st Place locally, at District and in the State

Each year, the local VFW Auxiliary Post 8884 enters essays written by area elementary students into a contest sponsored by the VFW organization. The state is divided into a total of 10 VFW districts across the state. Vinton-Shellsburg School District entered more essays than any other school district. Students squashed the competition with a whopping 295 entries!

Jeanette Henry of the VFW Auxiliary said that the 3rd-5th Grade teachers are the ones that make this such a huge success for the local VFW. Without their dedication, the program's success would not be what it is today. The VFW would like to thank these teachers: Mrs. Patterson, Laurie Hyland, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Haisman, Mrs. Hoeger, Mrs. Franks, Ms. Oleson, Mrs. Lorenzen, Ms. Huston, Ms. Lampe, Mrs. Sexton, Mrs. Kohl, Mrs. Paxton, Mrs. Rommann, Madison Reed, and Mr. Meyer.

Every year, the 3rd grade classes write on the topic "I Love America Because." There were a total of 114 entries in this grade. The top ten essays were written by Zachary Kuhn, Hunter Schneider, Ayda Thomas, Tanner Werning, Eli Nesbit, Mason Stephenson, Olivia Bowen, Briggs Flickinger, JosieLynn Armstrong and Penley Marzen.

Zachary Kuhn, a student at Shellsburg Elementary, entered his essay and walked away with 1st Place at the local level, 1st Place at Districts and 1st Place in the State.

His essay reads:

"I love America because we are free. If it wasn't for our veterans we would not be free. Since you fought for our freedom I am able to do things I enjoy like playing football and playing baseball and spending time with my family. In the future I will work hard and not forget that you gave us freedom. Thank you very much."

The 4th Graders had even more entries with 117. Their topic was, "I am Grateful for Veterans Because."

Layla Davidson, a student at Tilford won 1st Place locally and went on to win 2nd at the District level.

The remaining 4th grade local winners included Kenzie Fisher, Dax Marter, Razaya Williams, Anya Mick, Elizabeth Flieth, Karsyn Showers, Clay Koeppen, Amaya Metheney, and Wesley Van Ree.

64 entries were submitted from the 5th Graders and their topic was, "I am Proud to be an American Because." Thomas Phelps, won 1st Place in the local competition and 3rd Place in the District.

The remaining 5th grade local winners were Braxtyn Steele, Caraline Mefford, Nolan Fish, Katie Birker, Kennedy Ludden, Bryliegh Schwab, Vincent Bowen, Brently Smith and Leah Crabb.

Each first-place winner received a certificate and $50. Second-place winners received a certificate and $25 as well as a medal.

The top ten winners in each grade received medals and certificates at a school assembly. The remaining essays were presented to the students by their teacher in the classrooms.

Henry said, "We are proud of all of these students and want to also thank the teachers and staff that supported this project through the local VFW Auxiliary 8884 and the VFW Auxiliary 2440 of Independence." Also a special thank you to Donna Roepke for the purchase of the medals for the students.