Opheim Teacher And Students Recognized By VFW Post 3017

Representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3017 traveled to Opheim on April 4 to recognize Opheim teacher Nicole Taylor as well as students Bill Still and Carrie Taylor for going above and beyond as citizens for their school and community.

N. Taylor was awarded the 9-12 Teacher of The Year award for not only the Post, but also for the District and State. As a result of Taylor's recognition, Opheim School was also recognized by VFW National with an award, presented to superintendent Jennifer McAllister.

Students Still was recognized for his Patriot Pen essay and C. Taylor was recognized for her Voice of Democracy essay.

Conducted nationwide, the VFW-sponsored youth essay competitions give students an opportunity write essays expressing their view on an annual patriotic theme.

Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.3 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

The Patriot Pen essay contest encourages young minds to examine America's history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.