Jefferson Middle Students Winners in VFW Essay Competition

By Elaine Hartle
Jefferson Middle Teacher

Patriot's Pen is a nationwide, VFW-sponsored youth essay competition opened to all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. Patriot Pen gives students the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. 

More than 120,000 students participate annually. This year the theme was "America's Gift to My Generation." 

Elaine Hartle, sixth-grade English Language Arts teacher at Jefferson Middle School, entered her students' essays at VFW Post #1134. 

Jefferson had three local winners:

1st place: Case Anderson
2nd place: John Cordray
3rd place:  Lucas O'Neal

These essays went on the District Level, where Lucas O'Neal came in second place. His essay is now entered in the State Contest.

My students not only got to talk to some amazing and selfless veterans, they learned so much about the sacrifices made by others for their freedoms. They also decided that our veterans are America's real heroes! 

The three winning students also won money:  Case $50, John and Lucas $25 each, presented to them by Commander Joey Brinkley of Post 1134.

Lucas O'Neal got an additional $100 presented to him by Commander Russ Chambers from the District VFW. 

I am so proud of all of my students!!  Good Luck to Lucas O'Neal at the State level!

Here are the people in the picture:

First row:  District Commander Russell Chambers, John Cordray, Lucas O'Neal, Case Anderson, and Principal Shane O'Neal

Second row:  VFW #1134 Post Commander: Joey Brinkley, teacher Elaine Hartle, teacher Cindy Morris, veteran Chris Tapler