“American History: Our Hope for the Future” was the theme of the VFW’s Voice of Democracy contest recently completed for the 2017-18 school term at Northern Lehigh High School.

On the local level, VFW Post 12099 selected three winning essays from more than 30 essays: one from Northern Lehigh High School and two from Parkland High School.

All winners were awarded a framed commendation as well as monetary awards up to $150 for their 3-5 minute audio essay.

Courtney Trumbore, 11th grade at Northern Lehigh, a student of Tayler Urban, secured a second place among the three winning essays and was honored during a program attended by students including the school’s Patriot Club.

Students heard from and asked questions of past Post Commander Joe Zeller, WWII and Korea; Post 12099 Commander Michael Schnur, Vietnam; VFW Post 12099 comrade Retired Admiral David Keller, Vietnam; and Post Service Office Terry Rehrig, Vietnam.

Students poised questions such as the following: How does it feel to be an actual part of history? How was your re-entry into society after combat and military service?

Keller explained while military service is not for everyone, those who select to serve their nation gain access to the best educational training during their enlistment as well as post enlistment from the GI Educational Bill and also command valuable leadership skills so important for advancement in today’s workplace.

The National Veterans of Foreign Wars has sponsored this patriotic and audio essay competition with a new theme each school year for ninth through 12th grade students since 1947 with almost 40,000 high school students nationwide competing each school term for more than $2.1 million in scholarships and incentives.

Prizes are awarded at the post, district, state and national level. State winners receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the city and to be honored by the VFW and its VFW Auxiliary with the top scholarship award of $30,000.

On the sixth through eighth grade level, the VFW also sponsors Patriot’s Pen competition.

In this contest, a student composing a 30- to 400-word essay on the annual theme could be recognized on the local, district and state level and go on to become a national level winner receiving $5,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Teachers and students in public, private or parochial schools are encouraged to enter this competition with their entries for the 2018-19 school term due by Nov. 1, 2018, and presented either by teacher or individually to their local VFW Post for judging and sponsorship.

For information, contact VFW Post 12099 Coordinator Joseph Zeller at 610-298-3254, email annawertman@verizon.net or visit the National VFW website vfw.org.