VFW recognizes students for entering speech, essay contests

Oasis Academy counselor Andy Lenon, left, presents the second-place certificate for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and its Auxiliary patriotic audio essay competition to Hunter McNabb.

Staff Report

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

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Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1002 in Fallon and its Auxiliary recently recognized Churchill County students for their involvement with this year’s Voice of Democracy patriotic audio essay competition for high school grades, and the Patriot’s Pen essay contest for grades 6-8.
McKay Winder of Churchill County High School took first place in the district, which also includes Mineral and Nye counties, and third at state. Placing second in the local competition was Hunter McNabb of Oasis Academy, and Ariana Wolf, also from Oasis, placed third.
This year’s topic was, “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?”
Each year, almost 57,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme.
The Patriot’s Pen essay contest encourages students to look at America’s history and incorporate their own experiences in today’s society. Each student is expected to write a 300- to 400-word essay, and this year’s theme was “What is Patriotism to Me?”

Steve Ranson/LVN
McKay Winder, a senior at Churchill County High School, receives a check from Margaret Falk from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1002 and its Auxiliary. Looking on is contest organizer Mike Terry. Winder finished first in the local contest and third at state in the VFW patriotic audio essay competition.

First place was awarded to Oasis Academy student Taylor Hyde, and second place went to classmate, Christina Robinson. (Because of COVID-19 restrictions, no photos were available.)
A three-way tie occurred for third place. Washington Scott, Talon Johnson and Shania Lee are students at Logos Christian Academy.

Ariana Wolf from Oasis Academy placed third in the local division of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1002 and its Auxiliary patriotic audio essay competition.

Other students from Logos who participated were Jayden Walz, Reece Hammond, Aaralyn Emerick, Zander Wilmoth, Ethan Mitchell, Mason Storm, Abigail Gilman, Ava Bunyard and Taylor Sowersby.
Maximillion Dahl competed for Churchill County Middle School.
Locally, VFW Post 1002 and its Auxiliary also presented cash awards and certificates. The Tonopah VFW Post 1103 also assisted with funding the awards and presenting cash prizes to the third-place recipients in both the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests.

VFW member and contest organizer Mike Terry presents a certificate/letter and a copy of “Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War” to Maximillion Dahl for entering the contest. Dahl attends Churchill County Middle School.

Terry and Steve Ranson, LVN editor emeritus and co-author of “Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War,” each bought copies of the book, which was presented to all the students who entered this year’s contest.
“Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War” is a compilation of articles on veterans who either grew up in Nevada or moved to Nevada after World War II.

Steve Ranson/LVN
A three-way tie for third place in the Patriots’ Pen youth essay contest for grades 6-8 was shared by students, from left, Shania Lee, Washington Scott and Talon Johnson. Presenting the awards from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1002 and its Auxiliary were contest organizer Mike Terry, right, and Margaret Falk. Each student received a copy of “Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War.”

VFW recognizes students for entering speech, essay contests

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