McClain Wins 2005 Voice of Democracy
The members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 "Intrepid" have endorsed West Mifflin Area High School Senior Samuel McClain as the unit's winner of the 2005 Voice of Democracy competition. Sam's winning essay was based on this year's theme ""How I Demonstrate My Freedom". His entry was sent on to V.F.W. District 29 for further consideration at the state and national levels. McClain's essay has earned him a certificate and a $100 savings bond from Post 914 'Intrepid.'
Other school activities McClain has excelled in include Drum Major for the Titan Marching Band, jazz band, high school musical, National Honor Society, school yearbook and school newspaper, as well as school math and biology clubs.
Created in 1947, the V.F.W.'s Voice of Democracy program annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. Each Department's first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., plus the opportunity to compete for national scholarships. The first-place national winner receives a $25,000 scholarship.
Douglas Takes Top Youth Essay Laurels
Robert Douglas, an eighth-grade student at West Mifflin Middle School, has won a certificate and a $100 savings bond from Post 914 'Intrepid' for his first-place finish in the annual Youth Essay Contest. The theme of his work was "Who are today's patriots?" His effort will be forwarded to V.F.W. District 29 for further competition.
Patriot's Pen is a nationwide V.F.W. competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate in the annual contest.
Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. The first-place winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. |
