2020 District 12 MO Patriots Pen Awards

cw - 12/20/2020

On 19 December 2020, VFW District 12 MO thought outside of the box due to Covid Restrictions.
They conducted the Annual Voice of Democracy / Patriots Pen Awards Ceremony by Zoom Meetings.

The Patriots Pen Essay Scholarship Program is a 300 to 400 word essay written on a theme selected by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander in Chief. The top national prize is a $5,000. This year’s theme is;

What Is Patriotism To Me

This year, the 12th District Posts received 32 entries in which 7 were advanced to District. These entries are sponsored by 6 Posts and 4 Auxiliaries. Total Post level prizes and awards amount to $1,195.

State Commander Eric Sullivan was online with us. State Auxiliary President Ella Edwards/ Kirtley unfortunately had a previous engagement.
District Commander Richard Sax and District Auxiliary President Debbie Wilson and Representatives from all the District Posts were also online.
 
Here are the 2020 District 12 Patriots Pen Participants!

2365 Woodson Terrace – Cole Rogers of Most Sacred Heart School

3500 Richmond Heights & Auxiliary – Andrey Mohesky of Most Sacred Heart School

3944 Overland / St Ann & Auxiliary – Mathew Gage of Ladue Middle School

4105 Florissant & Auxiliary – Audrey Harness of Lasalle Springs Middle School

4223 Lemay – Taylor Callender of Margaret Buerkle Middle School

4223 Lemay – Lanaja Johnson of Margaret Buerkle Middle School

5468 Eureka & Auxiliary – Audrey Sherman of Most Sacred Heart School 
 
Our Top Three Places:

Third Place; goes to Mathew Gage, sponsored by Post 3944 Overland St Ann and Auxiliary.

Second Place goes to Andrey Mohesky, sponsored by Post 3500 Richmond Heights & Auxiliary.

Our First Place Winner, whose essay will represent the 12th District at the Department Level, sponsored by Eureka Memorial Post 5468 & Auxiliary, is Audrey Sherman.

2020 PP Dist 12 Audrey Sherman 5468

Audrey was not with us to read her Winning Essay.

Here is a copy of her Essay

As there were no physical contact with this, the Prize Checks were mailed out to each Winner. 
The Participation Certificates and Winners Plaques will be delivered with a Post by Post  by Program photo op session at a centrally located Post designed to keep within the Covid Group Size Policies. This will be in early January. and Notices will be sent out to the Participants and Posts.
UPDATE;
For the Placed Prize Winners, we will distribute the Plaques and related items on June 3, 4:00pm at Post 3944 Overland St Ann. We are taking Covid seriously and have made proper accommodations. The Participant Certificates will be mailed shortly after.