Winners named VFW essay contest

Ed Weeks, Commander of the VFW Post 3949 announced the winners of the post's 2014 Patriot's Pen essay competition. The first-place winner, Leah Marek, was absent for the presentation. She received $100 for her win. From left are middle school principal Curt Mayer; Sophie Bell, third-place winner ($25);  Claire Horak, second-place winner ($50); and Weeks.

Patriot's Pen is a nationwide essay competition sponsored by the VFW. It gives students in grades six through eight an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. There are post, district, state and national awards. The first-place winner of the national award receives a $5,000 scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., along with a parent or guardian.