Enumclaw VFW Post 1949 awarded scholarships in mid-March to the winners of the 2020-21 Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen essay contests.

Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsors essay contests open to students in high school and middle school. High school students participate in the Voice of Democracy contest and middle school students enter the Patriot Pen contest.

Voice of Democracy entries include a written essay that is then presented orally. Patriot Pen entries include an essay.

Scholarships are given to each winner and their entries are entered at the VFW district level. Should a student win at post, district, state and national levels they may receive up to $30,000 in scholarships.

This year’s theme for Voice of Democracy was “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?” and, for Patriot Pen, it was “What is Patriotism for Me?”

Voice of Democracy winners from Enumclaw High were Sophia DeMarco in first place, Natalie DeMarco in second and Alyson Holwege in third place. In the Patriot Pen contest, the first-place winner was Anneliese Knoles from Enumclaw Middle School. All winners received a plaque, a letter of congratulations from the post commander and a check.

Honored by the local VFW were (from left) Anneliese Knoles, Alyson Holwege, Sophia DeMarco and Natalie DeMarco. They submitted top entries in the VFW’s annual essay contests. Photo courtesy VFW Post 1949