Ellington Sixth-Grade Student Wins Patriotic Essay Contest

SUFFIELD, CT — The Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has announced the top winners in the 2024 Patriot’s Pen District Three essay contest. Patriot’s Pen is a nationwide youth-essay writing competition that gives students in grades 6, 7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme.

Nationally, more than 68,800 students participate in the contest for more than $1 million in prizes. Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme which is first judged by their sponsoring VFW Post. Post winners move on to the District level and "My Voice in America’s Democracy."

This year’s top essay winner for District Three was Shireen Koul, a sixth-grader at Windermere Elementary School in Ellington. She was sponsored by VFW Post 10689 of Ellington.

The top three placewinners were presented certificates and a monetary award at a ceremony on Jan. 11 in Suffield, during the Third District’s Annual Awards Breakfast of the Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliary.

"The Patriot’s Pen competition was enacted in 1995 by the VFW as a way to encourage young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society while improving their writing skills," stated Lee Wilson, CT VFW Commander District Three.

After receiving her award, Koul said, "Thank you to VFW for awarding me this first prize. These essay competitions help students to take a deep dive into meaningful topics. These encourage us to think and grow into responsible adults."