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Five WMS students earn 2022-23 WHS Patriots Pen awards

Johnston/Kuhl/Beasley/Elder/Maxson honored for their patriotic essays

January 13, 2023

Congratulations to the 2022-23 VFW Patriot Pen winners (from left): Dylyn Beasley (3rd), Ruby Elder (4th), Mecca Kuhl (2nd), Rease Johnston (1st), and Maci Maxson (5th)!

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Congratulations to the 2022-23 VFW Patriot Pen winners (from left): Dylyn Beasley (3rd), Ruby Elder (4th), Mecca Kuhl (2nd), Rease Johnston (1st), and Maci Maxson (5th)!

The Patriot's Pen Program is a nationwide VFW-sponsored youth essay competition that gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme.

More than 84,000 students participated last year in this contest. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the post, district, state, and national levels. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. The first-place national award is currently $5,000.

This year's topic was 'My Pledge to Our Veterans.'

Normally the Wahoo VFW Post awards three prizes, but because of the tremendous number of entries this year, Wahoo was able to advance five to the District level, so five awards were given out this school year. Unfortunately none of Wahoo's entries advanced to the next level. 

Congratulations to the following Wahoo Middle School students on their outstanding efforts and awards for this year's Patriot Pen Essay Contest:

1st place - Rease Johnston

2nd place - Mecca Kuhl

3rd  place - Dylyn Beasley

4th place  - Ruby Elder

5th place - Maci Maxson