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VFW Auxiliary Americanism Program
Essay Writing Competition for 4th and 5th graders This competition was not held in 2023 and 2024. |
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Fourth and fifth grade students should wrote a 50-to-75-word essay to the theme, "My American Hero."
The award ceremony was held January 10, 2023, to a full-house audience at the Brainerd VFW. 
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Greta Kushel, 1st place, 4th grade
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Alee Stumbo, 2nd place, 4th grade
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Ryker Schulz, 3rd place, 4th grade. He also won 2nd place in district competition.
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The 2021-2022 theme was "What have you done for veterans today?" The deadline was October 31, 2021.
November 18, 2021: Judges announced the first-place winning entry was by Macayla Green from Nisswa:
Today I prayed for the veterans, I pray for the veterans every day. I love to help the veterans. I ran five miles for the veterans. I say the Pledge of Allegiance every day to honor the veterans who fought for our freedoms. I say thank you to the veterans I meet. Every year on Memorial Day we go to our local VFW to honor all the fallen soldiers and give thanks to veterans. When we were there listening, a veteran told us freedom is not free. Thank you for all you did for me.
2nd place Clare Caughey from Fort Ripley
3rd place Dominick Melin from Deerwood
Winners receive $10, $15 or $20.
November 18, 2021: Judges announced the first-place winning entry was by Macayla Green from Nisswa:
Today I prayed for the veterans, I pray for the veterans every day. I love to help the veterans. I ran five miles for the veterans. I say the Pledge of Allegiance every day to honor the veterans who fought for our freedoms. I say thank you to the veterans I meet. Every year on Memorial Day we go to our local VFW to honor all the fallen soldiers and give thanks to veterans. When we were there listening, a veteran told us freedom is not free. Thank you for all you did for me.
2nd place Clare Caughey from Fort Ripley
3rd place Dominick Melin from Deerwood
Winners receive $10, $15 or $20.
Photos below are from the January 11, 2022, award presentation with Essay Competition Coordinator Saundra Swearingen on the left and Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President Sue Sterling on the right.
(l-r) Essay Coordinator Saundra Swearingen, Macayla Green, Clare Caughey, Dominick Melin and Auxiliary President Sue Sterling
Macayla Green, 1st place
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Clare Caughey, 2nd place
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Dominick Melin, 3rd place
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All winners read their essays
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The 2020-2021 theme was, "What the American Flag Means to Me."
November 2020: Grace Sarvie took first place in Brainerd for $20, then won in MN 6th District and went on to Minnesota state completion, which she won. She received a blanket embroidered with her name.
Grace Sarvie of Brainerd, MN
What the American Flag Means to Me, by Grace Sarvie
To me, the American flag means peace, freedom, and joy. It tells me what the soldiers did for our country. They fought for their freedom and other people's freedom too. It makes me happy and helps me appreciate my country even more than I did when I was first learning about America. I love the country that I live in because it is free and that is where God put me. It is a gift from God. When I look at the American flag, I think of the guidance it gives me to appreciate the country more and more every day. When I see the flags at half-staff I really think about the police, firemen, and medical workers that help our country.
The American flag is very special to me and I think it should be to other people too. I do truly think that the American flag is a gift from God and lots of people don't see that. Every part of the American flag tells me something about our country like the red and white stripes and the white stars. I really also think that the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem are really beautiful songs and sayings about our country. I love our country so much and I think there is still a lot more to learn about it and the American flag. This is what the American flag means to me.
To me, the American flag means peace, freedom, and joy. It tells me what the soldiers did for our country. They fought for their freedom and other people's freedom too. It makes me happy and helps me appreciate my country even more than I did when I was first learning about America. I love the country that I live in because it is free and that is where God put me. It is a gift from God. When I look at the American flag, I think of the guidance it gives me to appreciate the country more and more every day. When I see the flags at half-staff I really think about the police, firemen, and medical workers that help our country.
The American flag is very special to me and I think it should be to other people too. I do truly think that the American flag is a gift from God and lots of people don't see that. Every part of the American flag tells me something about our country like the red and white stripes and the white stars. I really also think that the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem are really beautiful songs and sayings about our country. I love our country so much and I think there is still a lot more to learn about it and the American flag. This is what the American flag means to me.
Second Place Beyla Goble $15.00
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Third Place Max Weheler, $10.00
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All are from Brainerd
Students in grades 6 - 8 compete in the Patriot's Pen Competition
Students in grades 9 - 12 compete in the Voice of Democracy Competion
Scouts K-12 compete for the Scout of the Year Award
