Valley County News Briefs for Sept. 8, 2021

Tyra Johnson Earns Award

Tyra Johnson, of Glasgow, has earned the honor of Academic Excellence from Weber State University.

More than 800 students received the honor of Academic Excellence in the summer, signifying they maintained a GPA of at least 3.5. Of those 800, approximately 280 students earned the distinction of High Academic Excellence for maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

VFW Scholarship Program Launches

Glasgow VFW Post 3107 announces their scholarship/ recognition programs for the 2021/22 school year, Voice of Democracy for High School students and Patriot's Pen for grades 6-8 and Teacher of the Year. Entries for all programs must be received by the VFW Post not later than midnight October 31, 2021. Entry forms for each award are available from teachers, the school offices or contact, in the evening, Scott Renville, tel.#406-470-1526, or Jason Myers tel.# 406-942-2213 or VFW Post 3107 tel.# 406-228-2135 during normal canteen hours. Home schooled students are eligible as well and should contact any of the above contacts for information. The information is also available at VFW.org under Youth Activities.

Voice of Democracy is a 3-5 minute essay on a disc or thumb drive on this year's theme, "America: Where do we go from here?" A written copy must accompany the entry. Additional instructions are on the entry form. A winner will be selected from each school and will receive a $100 scholarship. The overall winner from VFW Post 3107 will compete at District 5 with the District winner competing at the State level. The State winner will compete at the National level where the National winner receives a $30,000 scholarship. The State winner will also receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC in March 2022 where the National winner will be announced. Additionally, they will receive an all-expense paid trip to Valley Forge for a Leadership Conference in June 2022.

Patriot's Pen is a type written essay of 300-400 typewritten words in length on this year's theme, "How Can I Be A Good American?". Post winners from each school will receive a $100 scholarship. The Post 3107 winner will compete at District level, with that winner going to State level and finally the state winner will compete at the National level with the National winner receiving a $5,000 scholarship.

Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen entries for these prestigious competitions must be received by VFW Post 3107 by midnight October 31, 2020. All winners, with their families, from each school will be invited to attend an Awards dinner in April, 2022, at VFW Post 3107 in Glasgow. All awards will be presented at that time.

The Teacher of the Year is a program to identify and recognize America's best educators who instill a sense of national pride in students. They stimulate interest in America's history, traditions, Americanism, civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism. There are three categories for this award: Grade School (1-5), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12). One winner will be recognized by the Post for each category. Entries must be received by the VFW Post not later than October 31, 2021.

Entry forms are available from all school administration offices or can be obtained from VFW Post 3107 in Glasgow. Forms are also available at the VFW website, vfw.org, and click on community and follow the prompts.

Medicare Open Enrollment

Open enrollment for Medicare Part D (Pharmacy/medications) plan is October 15 through December 7. If you decide to change plans the new plan will start January 1, 2022.

In order to have a part D plan you need to have Part A and B of Medicare.

If you are new to Medicare you are able to enroll in a Part D plan during your initial enrollment period which is 3 months before you turn 65, the month of 65 and 3 months after without incurring a penalty.

If you enroll after your initial enrollment period you will be subject to a penalty that is added to your plan for the lifetime of the plan unless you are receiving extra help due to low income.

If you get Medicare Part B for the first time later than you got Part A (for example if you were covered under an employer group health plan who had creditable drug coverage and then retired and dropped the employer plan) you can also enroll in Part D within two months following the end of your employer coverage.

Since drug plans can change from year to year such as rate increases, formulary changes (which affect how and if your medications are covered), deductible changes, coverage area changes and preferred pharmacy changes you should review your plan.

Also it is important to be checking any mailings from your current plan for important notices of changes. These notices will be mailed out generally before open enrollment begins in October.

As in past years, your local SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) counselor will be able to assist you in reviewing your current drug plan coverage and assist with enrollment in a new plan should you wish to change.

You can also review and change plans on your own by logging into your Medicare.gov account.

If you have any questions or have a special situation, call 1-800-551-3191.