Oasis eight grader Christina Robinson, center, placed first in the state in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot’s Pen essay contest. With her is Ramona Terry, left, and Michael Terry, both from Fallon VFW Post 1002 and its auxiliary.
Steve Ranson / LVN
Steve Ranson / LVN
Students who entered the contest last year received their copy at that time. The Lahontan Valley News and Terry have co-sponsored the presentation of the book for the past two years. Students learned of the book’s purpose and several stories that have a Churchill County connection. The book has generated more than $18,000 in net sales for Honor Flight Nevada, a program that sends veterans to either Washington, D.C. or Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to see that nation’s memorials built in their honor.
The requirements for the essay called for 300 to 400 words. The essay, along with submitted essays from every state and territory, will now be judged at the national level. Terry and his wife Ramona, who is also a Navy veteran, visited each school and presented students who placed with a certificate and money.
At the post level, Hadyen Cooper, a student at Churchill County Middle School, took second, and Logos Christian Academy’s Talon Johnson placed third.
Steve Ranson / LVN
Next year, Terry said Robinson will be eligible to enter the VFW’s Voice of Democracy essay/speech contest for grades 9-12. Terry said Fallon had the state winner several years ago, and Ashby Trotter advanced to the national competition where she placed seventh.
Robinson’s essay stated, “The American dream can be interpreted in thousands of ways. To be a good American, I must live out my own dream by making my country’s most important values part of my everyday life. I need to respect and represent America’s culture and give back to my country.”
Furthermore, Robinson said upholding our country’s foundational values shows what constitutes a good American. The values include liberty, independence equality and freedom. She said a good American also votes wisely and treats everyone with respect.
“Another way I could be a good Americans by showing pride for my country,” Robinson wrote. “This means proudly displaying American symbols such as the flag or national bird, and purchasing American made items while teaching American culture to the future.”
Robinson said it’s also important to show respect during the playing of the national anthem or Pledge of Allegiance.
Steve Ranson / LVN
“A good American is proud to display and learn about their national symbols,” she added in her essay.
Robinson said to be a good American, she and others must give back to their country through contributions or good deeds. She said joining clubs, organizations o sports will support her personal growth by building confidence, leadership and social skills.
“A foundation of service and extracurricular activities will allow me to choose a career that pushes me to make massive differences,” she wrote. “I believe that I can be a good American If I strive to achieve bigger things by starting small.”
Terry said Kaitlyn Hert, a student at Oasis Academy, took both first at local and district in the Voice of Democracy contest and then third at state. Students had the same topic as the Patriot Pen entrants. Hunter McNabb and Kaylammel Diamond, both from Oasis, took second and third, respectively.
Steve Ranson / LVN
Steve Ranson / LVN
Steve Ranson / LVN
Steve Ranson / LVN