On March 4, R.W. Fritzinger Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7215, Walnutport, held a banquet and awards ceremony for the five top winners from both Northampton Area School District and Northern Lehigh School District. There also was one Voice of Democracy winner from Northampton.

The programs are held by the auxiliary.

During the invocation, Chaplain Sue Bortz asked God to always be their traveling companion.

Tom Brown, state VFW commander, said the day was a day for young people.

“I appreciate the time you put in and hope you will follow up with Voice of Democracy entries when you reach high school,” Brown said.

John Getz, state adjutant/quartermaster, told them it was a great thing they do in the essay contest.

The top winner from each state went to Washington, D.C., recently for the national Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy winners. The top prize for the Voice of Democracy winner is $30,000, and the top winner in Patriot’s Pen gets $5,000.

Donna Mills, department president, said it was an honor and a privilege to meet the students who participated.

“You are wonderful individuals,” Mills said.

The subject of their essays was “The America I Believe In.”

Olivia Vajda, first-place winner from Northampton, said the America she believes in honors the ones who have risked their lives to bring peace, freedom and our rights as citizens. Her parents are Jason and Tammy Vajda.

Second-place winner Elizabeth Fruendt said 9/11 was a tragic and sad day for all of us. For her, holidays such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July are for honoring people who have fought for our freedom. Her parents are Edward and Judy Fruendt

Third-place winner Emily Roehler said believing in America means honoring. It honors fallen soldiers with statues, monuments and holidays. She spoke of many of the statues, memorials and holidays. Her parents are David and Michele Roehler.

Isaiah Harris, fourth-place winner, wrote of the many ways military personnel are honored and said they should be thanked. He said that is the America he believes in and asks, “What kind of America do you believe in?” His parents are Laurance and Erin Harris.

Fifth-place winner was Isabella Pina, who said the Revolutionary War, Civil Rights and Women’s Suffrage are ways that America has succeeded in equality for all Americans. She stressed the Civil War as ending slavery. Her parents are Eric and Sue Pina.

Each Patriot’s Pen winner received citations from both the VFW and the auxiliary, a backpack, notebook and gift card from Walmart. The cards were valued at $100, first place; $75, second place; $50, third place; and $25, fourth and fifth places. Brown gave each a state pin.

The Voice of Democracy winner was Miranda Heffelfinger, of Northampton. In addition to placing first locally, she placed second in the district. The theme for the contest essay was “My Responsibility to America.” She said ways to help are volunteering, donating to charities, being involved and having respect for the people who serve our country. We should work hard to reach our full potential, she said, and her responsibility to America is to help her country by being a good citizen and helping make it a better place to be. Her parents are Dean and Fran Heffelfinger.