Winners in Statewide Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest Announced

From Veterans of Foreign Wars: At a ceremony recently, the Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) announced the top winners in the 2016-2017 Patriot’s Pen 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 democracy. Nationally, more than 120,000 students participate in the contest. This year’s theme was The America I Believe In." 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 those winners to a statewide competition during the fall of the academic year.

This year’s top essay winners are:

 First Place – Rachel Coppinger, 8 th grade, Henry James Memorial School, Simsbury, CT. She was

sponsored by VFW Post 1926, Simsbury, CT.

 Second Place – Brendan Holleck, 8 th grade, Rochambeau Middle School, Region 15, Southbury, CT.

He was sponsored by VFW Post 1607, Southbury, CT.

 Third Place – Brendan Owen, 8 th grade, East Hampton Middle School, East Hampton, CT. He was sponsored by VFW Post 5095, East Hampton, CT. All three were presented plaques and a monetary award at a ceremony on January 15 in Rocky Hill, CT at the 46 th Annual Awards dinner by 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 Christine Smith, State VFW Auxiliary Patriot Pen Chairman. Rachel Coppinger’s first place essay will be sent to a national competition where she will be competing with 53 other state winners for individual awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. The top national winner is also provided an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. with a parent or guardian.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on its National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2016-2017. A copy of the entry form and rules can be found at here.

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