Young VFW Essay Contest Winners Celebrated In Berkeley

BERKELEY, NJ — A group of young teenagers were honored by the Berkeley Township Council for their award-winning essays through the VFW's Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen contests.

The Voice of Democracy contest invites high school students to record a video essay on a topic chosen by the VFW each year. This year's theme was "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"

"Now, stop and think as an adult, how would you write that? And you're asking a ninth through 12th grader to come up with that," VFW Post 9503 Commander Jim Ramnytz said.

"I would have a heck of a time, I'm not going to lie," Ramnytz added.

The winners were: first place - Lucia M. Street (a multi-year winner), second place - Matthew Tsucala, third place - Hiqmah Arowolo.

The Patriot's Pen contest is for sixth through eighth graders, who have to write a 300 to 400 word essay on a certain topic. This year's theme was "My Voice In America's Democracy?"

All three winners were just 13-years-old.

"So you're asking a 13-year-old what is their voice in America's democracy," said Ramnytz, adding that the entries were "interesting reading."

The winners were: first place - Amy Martinez Vasquez, second place - Connor J. Jakalow, third place -Madison McInerney.

All of the winners were presented with a certificate of merit.