Enumclaw VFW Post 1949 awarded scholarships Jan. 23 to the winners of the 2019-20 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 in the Patriots Pen contest. Voice of Democracy entries include a written essay that is then presented orally while Patriot pen entries include an essay only.

Scholarships are given to each winner and their work is entered at the VFW district level. Student who win at the post, district, state and national levels may receive up to $30,000 in scholarships.

This year’s theme for Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen was “What makes America Great.”

The Voice of Democracy winners, all from Enumclaw High School, were: Gabriella DeMarco, first place; Sophia DeMarco, second place; Natasha Puzon, third place; and Emily Carsten, fourth place.

Gabriella DeMarco went on to take first place at the district level and then at state. She will be representing Washington this month at the national contest.

The local Patriots Pen winners (all from Enumclaw Middle School) were: Natalie DeMarco, first place at the local level and third at district); Emma Henshaw, second place; Olena Simpson, third place; Issac Soltero, fourth place; Logan Baxter, fifth place; and; Marin Lawson, sixth place.

First place winners presented their essays at the post meeting on Jan. 23. All received a plaque, a lapel pin and a check.