7th Grader, Leighton Peters – Wins 1st Place at State VFW Patriot Pens Essay Contest

Congratulations to seventh-grade student, Leighton Peters, on winning the State-wide VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay contest. In November 2022, Leighton submitted her essay to the local VFW and advanced to the regional level. After regionals, she advanced to the state competition held in Oshkosh. She won an overnight trip to Oshkosh with her family to attend the awards ceremony along with students across the state who advanced in the state Patriot’s Pen Essay contest, Voice of Democracy contest, and the state teacher of the year winners. As a part of the ceremony in Oshkosh, she read her essay to the veterans who were present. There were many tears in the room as she read her essay. She earned a check for $1,000, a plaque and a certificate for her essay. Leighton’s grandfather is a veteran and a big part of her inspiration for the essay.

On Monday, March 6th the National Winner will be live-streamed from the National VFW Convention in Washing, D.C. Join in to watch the presentation and cheer on Leighton! Live-Stream: www.vfw.org.

More about the Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Contest:

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000!

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.

Group Picture below:

Dennis De Gidio, Adjutant VFW Post 2204
Jim Peters
Amy Peters
Randy Engness, Commander VFW District 9
Middle: Juliana Peters, sister
Front:
Louise Engness, President Rice Lake VFW Auxiliary
Leighton Peters, State Winner Patriot’s Pen contest
Jim Garey, Commander VFW Post 2204