- February 7, 2025
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Six students from Atlantic High School, Spruce Creek High School and Creekside Middle School were given plaques and checks on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at a presentation at VFW Post 3282, for their entries into the Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy essay contests.
Peter Novak, of Creekside Middle, won first place for the Patriot's Pen contest, which focused on the theme of "America's Gift to My Generation."
"I just had to think about what everyone did for this country, whether it went back to the birth of this country or the World Wars," Novak said about creating his essay.
Creekside Middle students Kyle Parrish and Cathrine Besnay came in second and third in the contest.
For the Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest, Atlantic High student Madeliene Morrow came in first, followed by Jareth Tasto-Gaeta, also of Atlantic High, with third place going to Spruce Creek High student Thomas Bryant.
The Voice of Democracy program, established by the VFW in 1947, brings in more than 50,000 high school students from around the country for the chance to win a portion of the $2.3 million in education scholarships awarded through the VFW.
Students wrote and recorded a script relating to an assigned patriotic theme. This year's theme was "American History: Our Hope for the Future." Morrow will now have a chance to compete at the state level for an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Morrow said the essay contest encourages high-schoolers to have an opinion about their country.
"I think that's especially unique for the VFW to be doing this because it does raise awareness that we're almost adults and you do have to think about it," Morrow said.
Teacher of the Year
During Wednesday's award ceremony, Spruce Creek High School teacher and Port Orange City Councilman Chase Tramont was named Teacher of the Year.
Nominated teachers are chosen on how they "teach Americanism and patriotism," according to the VFW. Judges also look for candidates who promote civic responsibility and flag etiquette. Nominated teachers can be entered into the national awards contest with the VFW National Headquarters.
