“How can I be a good American?”

That is the prompt students across the country were asked to write about for this year’s Patriot's Pen youth essay contest, hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Students at General Brown Central School District were among those who submitted essays.

Four General Brown Central School District students were recently recognized for their winning submissions at the VFW Dionne-Rumble Post 7227 in Carthage. Some of these student submissions were highly competitive at the state level.

Each student received awards and scholarship prizes during a recent VFW banquet.

• Eighth-grader Leona DeGriselles placed first at the local post level.
• Eighth-grader Ella Lane placed second at the local post level and second at the district level.
• Ninth-grader Anthony LaSage placed first at the local post level, finished first at the district level and went on to finish fifth overall at the state level competition.
• Eighth-grader Aaron Orvis placed third at the local post level, finished first at the district level and went on to finish second overall at the state level competition.

Mr. Blunden, Carthage VFW Post 7227 Auxiliary President DeeDee Guyette and Scholarship Chairwoman Esther Reape joined the students as they accepted their recognition at the banquet.

According to the National VFW organization, nearly 68,000 students enter the annual contest. The winnings often total more than $1.4 million, spread out across state and national awards. To learn more about the Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest, visit the VFW website.