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CCS students who placed in this year’s Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests were, front from left, Elizabeth Reeves, Morgan Peterson, Samantha Schrotberger, Jaret Peterson and Olivia Spady. Not pictured—Colin O’Neil. Pictured with the winners were, back from left, VFW State Commander Joe Smith, VFW Post 4688 Commander Eldon Kuntzelman and Sue Moore, auxiliary president. (Johnson Publications photo)

CCS top patriotic essay writers honored at Veterans Day supper

    The VFW Post # 4688 honored the top six winners of the Chase County Schools (CCS) patriotic essay writing contests Sunday night during its annual Veterans Day supper.
    Five of the six students and their families were in attendance.
    The theme for both essays was “What Makes America Great.”
    The Patriot’s Pen contest is for students in grades 6-8 and sponsored by the auxiliary. There were 93 entries.
    Eighth grader Samantha Schrotberger won first place for her essay.
     Jaret Peterson, also in eighth grade, was second while Olivia Spady, a seventh grader, placed third.
    The Voice of Democracy essay contest is sponsored by the VFW Post 4688. Thirteen entries were received.
    Morgan Peterson, a sophomore, won first place in the Voice of Democracy contest.
    Colin O’Neil, freshman, received second place with  freshman Elizabeth Reeves in third.
    This was a second win for Peterson.
    Her essay won first place on the local level in 2017 as an eighth grader in the Patriot’s Pen contest. It went on to win first in North Platte at the district level.
    She was the first essay writer from Chase County to compete at the state contest in Lincoln and reach the national level in Washington D.C.
    Peterson represented the state of Nebraska at nationals placing 15th out of 54 contestants in the Patriot’s Pen essay contest that year.
    A traditional pre-Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, ham and all the trimmings was enjoyed by a full crowd honoring Veterans Day Sunday evening.    
    VFW Commander Eldon Kuntzelman and Auxiliary President Sue Moore gave opening remarks.
    Also in attendance were two visiting guests, Joe Smith, VFW State Commander, and Carol Thompson of Wauneta, past department president to the VFW auxiliary for the state of Nebraska.
    Following introductions, Eric Gonzalez, VFW quartermaster, performed the POW/MIA Remembrance Service followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The blessing before the meal was given by Commander Kuntzelman.
    Toward the end of the meal, the essay writers were given the opportunity to read their essays.
    Each of the essay contestants were presented with a certificate and a monetary award.
    The winner of the drawing for a handmade patriotic quilt  donated by the Crazy Quilt Guild was Jan Jaeger of Imperial.
    Raffle proceeds will go toward the veterans memorial currently being built.
    During closing remarks, VFW State Commander Smith shared some words of thanks and praise to the young writers for their patriotic endeavors.
    The two first place winners will move on to compete in North Platte at the district level.

 

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