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FROM STAFF REPORTS
On Friday, Dec. 1, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2166 in Elizabethton presented awards to exceptional local students for their achievements in two prestigious competitions: the 2023-24 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Written Essay contests.
Alex Jenkins, a 7th-grade student from T.A. Dugger Middle School, emerged as the recipient of the VFW & Auxiliary 2023-24 Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest. Officers honored Jenkins with an award and a $100 gift certificate for his outstanding essay, crafted in response to the theme “How Are You Inspired by America.” Jenkins’ submission stood out among all entries after its announcement in the fall of 2023.
Simultaneously, Callie Hardin, an 11th-grade student at Unaka High School, was lauded as the winner of the VFW & Auxiliary 2023-24 Voice of Democracy Contest. Officers from the local VFW Post 2166 presented Hardin with an award and a $100 gift certificate in recognition of her exceptional recorded essay. Her submission, addressing this year’s theme, “What Are The Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?” was selected as the standout piece among the submissions received.
The awards ceremony held at the Elizabethton VFW post honored the insightful perspectives and eloquent expressions of patriotism and democratic values showcased by both Jenkins and Hardin, earning them well-deserved recognition among their peers.