02/02/2026
๐บ๐ธ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐
๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ: ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ ๐๐
๐ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ!
The voices of our youth are clear, patriotic, and stronger than ever. VFW Post 4060 is incredibly proud to announce the local winners for the 2025-2026 Voice of Democracy and Patriotโs Pen essay competitions.
This yearโs theme, โ๐๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ข๐ต๐ณ๐ช๐ฐ๐ต๐ช๐ด๐ฎ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐ณ ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ต๐ณ๐บ?โ, challenged our students to look inward and define what it means to serve their community and nation. From eighth graders finding their footing in American history to high schoolers preparing for their future careers, the talent displayed was nothing short of inspiring.
๐๏ธ ๐๐จ๐ข๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ
๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ข๐จ-๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ
The Voice of Democracy program has been a staple of student expression since 1947. These students recorded original audio essays, competing for a share of $1.4 million in national scholarships.
1st Place: Tivian Tripple
2nd Place: Maylie Eby
3rd Place: Amelia Koza
โ๏ธ ๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ
๐๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Our middle schoolers proved that youโre never too young to have a perspective on democracy. These winners stood out among tens of thousands of entries nationwide for their 300-400 word essays.
1st Place: Mahrlee Sauer
2nd Place: Rita Ireland
3rd Place: Evelyn Cox
Why These Programs Matter
Beyond the local accolades, these students are now part of a prestigious tradition.
Voice of Democracy winners at the national level compete for a $35,000 top scholarship.
Patriot's Pen national winners can earn up to $5,000.
We want to extend a massive "Thank You" to the teachers, parents, and mentors who supported these students. It is through your guidance that the next generation remains engaged with the values that define our country.
"Our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the voices of today." โ VFW Post 4060