Kewanee VFW Post 8078 and its Auxiliary have announced the winners of this year’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest, an annual competition for 6th through 8th graders. This year’s first-place honor goes to Dale VanDusen, an 8th grader at Wethersfield Jr. High. Kelsey Wisniewski took second, and Abigail Hampton was awarded third; both are also 8th graders from Wethersfield Jr. High. Each winner received a cash prize and a certificate in recognition of their work.
Young writers across the country are sharpening their pencils for this year’s VFW Patriot’s Pen® youth essay contest. Open to students in grades six through eight, the competition attracts more than 60,600 participants annually. The contest challenges students to reflect on America’s past and their personal experiences, promoting civic engagement and patriotism. State first-place winners are awarded at least $500, while the national champion receives a grand prize of $5,000. With nearly $1 million in awards distributed, the Patriot’s Pen® contest continues to inspire the next generation to honor American values through the power of the written word.
Pictured L to R: VFW 8078 Commander Rob Cade; Kelsey Wisniewski; Abigail Hampton; Dale VanDusen; and Post 8078 Auxiliary President Linda Jacobs.
