Rehoboth VFW recognizes local scholarship winners
Members of the Rehoboth VFW Post 7447 and its Ladies Auxiliary awarded prizes Jan. 10 to their high school Voice of Democracy audio essay winners and the middle school Patriot's Pen essay winners. This was followed by a pizza party for the teachers, family, and Post and Ladies Auxiliary members in attendance.
The Voice of Democracy topic this year was "Why Veterans are Important to Our Nation's History and Future" for a 3- to 5-minute audio essay on the topic for students in grades nine to 12 in public, private, and parochial schools as well as home schooled. All local entries were from Cape Henlopen HIgh School.
The first-place winner was Richard J. Brokaw, who received $100 and a citation from the Rehoboth VFW Post and from its Ladies Auxiliary. Brokaw is a junior. His entry will move forward to the district competition in Delaware. The second-place winner, and Ricky's twin, was Grace C. Brokaw. She also won the competition last year; she received $75 and a citation from both the VFW Post and Ladies Auxiliary. The third-place winner was Leah M. Croy, a freshman and member of the JROTC. She received $50 and a citation from both the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. Col. Ronald Erale, Cape Henlopen JROTC teacher, received $25 from both the VFW Post and its Ladies Auxiliary as well as a certificate of appreciation.
The Patriot's Pen topic this year was "Why I Appreciate America's Veterans," a 300-400-word typewritten essay contest for sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders in public, private, and parochial schools as well as home schooled. All the entries this year were from Beacon Middle School.
First place was awarded to Katherine D. Lepe. She received $100 and a citation from the Post, and $75 and a citation from the Ladies Auxiliary. Second place was awarded to Audrey M. Crouch, who receives $75 and a citation from the Post and $50 and a citation from the Ladies Auxiliary. The third-place winner was Rebecca T. Lenhart, who received $50 and a citation from the Post as well as $25 and a citation from the Ladies Auxiliary. Honorable Mention citations were awarded to C'eyra C. Middleton and Madison N. Metcalfe. A certificate of appreciation and $25 from both the Post and the Ladies Auxiliary were awarded to teacher Marc Fruchtman of Beacon Middle School.
Students also received Delaware flag pins as well as booklets on How Our Laws Are Made and The Constitution of the United States of America, with gratitude to the offices Delaware's U.S. senators and congressman. The high school winners were provided information on the Young American Patriotic Art scholarship contest, with a deadline of March 30 for original artwork. Contact Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship Chair Barbara McGowan, barbaramcgowan1@verizon.net or 302-645-7689 for more details. Topics for the 2015-16 Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen essay contests will be announced soon.
