Three students from Terrace Park K-8 School were among those honored by Edmonds-based VFW Post 8870 Dec. 8 for participating in the Annual National VFW Essay contest. The Post’s student essay competition is coordinated by Fred Apgar, who also serves as Post Chaplain.
The theme for this year’s Youth Essay contest was “Why Is America My Favorite Country?” The contest is open to elementary school students in grades 3, 4, and 5, and participation in the contest is open to all public, private, and home schooled children. This year’s winning essay for 5th grade was submitted by Chloe Lee who is a student at Mukilteo Elementary School. Runners up at this grade level were Mohuwa Wahid, Ellie Choi, and Sabrina Windland, who also attend Mukilteo Elementary School. Benjamin Hoang, who attends Terrace Park, was also a runner-up. Chloe was presented with a $100 scholarship from the post, and each runner up received a $25 scholarship.
The Patriot’s Pen essay contest is open for middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8, and the theme for this year’s contest was “What Freedom Means to Me.” The winning entry was submitted by Lara Wahid, a student at Harbour Point Middle School, who received a $100 scholarship. Two runners-up were named, Deacon Fuentes and Elijah Faris, both of whom attend Terrace Park.
For the second consecutive year, Olivia Olsen garnered first place honors and a $100 scholarship in the Voice of Democracy contest. This essay contest is open to high school students in grades 9-12, and requires the submission of an audio essay. This year’s topic was, “My Vision for America.” Olivia is a 10th grade student at Edmonds-Woodway High School.
Accompanying the Mukilteo Elementary School students were their teachers, Ms. Aina Green and Ms. Sue Idso. Supporting the students from Terrace Park School was their teacher, Ms. Lori Kutrich.
Prior to the presentation of awards and the reading of the winning entries, Olivia Olson led post members and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. The winning entries have been forwarded to Washington State VFW for consideration at the district and state levels. More information about our Post’s activities and programs can be obtained by visiting www.vfw8870.org.
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