One after another, young men and women stepped up to receive their awards. On Friday, December 5, before a crowd of parents, educators, veterans, and local political delegates, students from Newtown and area schools received recognition for their winning written and oral essays submissions in the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests.

Newtown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 308 (VFW) hosted the student competition. Patriot’s Pen is a written essay competition for students in grades 6–8. The 2014 theme is “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.” Voice of Democracy is an audio-essay competition for students grades 9–12. Its theme: “Why Veterans are Important to Our Nation’s History and Future.”

During a ceremony held in the Newtown Municipal Center, proud parents and supporters applauded students and the sentiments expressed in their work.

At a podium placed before a floor-to-ceiling mural dedicated to Newtown’s veterans, VFW member and veteran Donna Monteleone-Randle said, “The contest encourages young minds” to think about veterans, history, and the student’s own experience.

Several of the judges, including Reverend Jim Solomon, spoke. He told those gathered that his father had been a World War II veteran, and had lived through The Great Depression. Remembering his father, he said, “One thing that is true of him and all veterans, he put aside his rights for the sake of others’ needs.”

Honored to have read the many essays submitted this year, Rev Solomon said, “If it was up to me, you all would have won.”

Post Vice Commander Walt Dolan recognized the essay contest judges and introduced another of the community members asked to read and listen to the many essays. Stepping up to speak was local attorney and Selectman James Gaston. He said the turnout from schools and communities Friday was “fantastic,” and the essays had been completed by “extremely gifted students,” who all did “an exceptional job.” To be a judge was an extreme challenge, he said.

He reviewed each essay as many as five times and to every students he said, “Well done,” and “congratulations, you should be proud of your accomplishments.” He said, “Unless we appreciate sacrifices, we can’t appreciate what we have.”

Newtown author and judge Kelley Johnson named the words many essayists had used to describe veterans: “Selfless, gallant, loyal, strong, proud, determined, brave, heroic.” Writers referenced veterans current and past, and spoke of the war on terror, brain injuries, risks on the battlefield, and once home, veterans could face unemployment, addictions, suicide. “What a huge price,” Ms Johnson said one student had written.

Various speakers called students’ names and one at a time the winners accepted their plaques and awards. Winners from all posts in Fairfield County then competed at a district level. Both local and district winners are listed below. Winners of the six Connecticut VFW districts will compete to represent the state of Connecticut for National Prizes.

Winners are: Newtown Patriot’s Pen Winners First Place, Zachary Macey, sixth grade at Reed Intermediate School; Second Place, Sabrina Capodicci, seventh grade, St Rose School; Third Place, Angela Vodola, Newtown Middle School; Fourth Place, Kayley Morgenstern, sixth grade at Reed Intermediate School; Fifth Place was a tie between Riley Burns and Madison Delpozo, both sixth graders at Reed Intermediate School. Zachary Macey placed Second in the District 1 Competition and Madison Delpozo placed Third in District 1 competition.

 Voice of Democracy Winners from district high school are: First Place, Marie M. Randle, Newtown High School; Second Place, Keyur Shah from Shelton High School; Third Place, Nicholas P. Randle, Newtown High School. Marie Placed second in the District 1 competition.

This Year’s Judges

Patriot’s Pen judges this year were Greg VanAntwerp, Middle Gate Principal Christopher Geissler, and Rev Solomon.

Mr VanAntwerp is supervisor for Charter Community Vision 21. He is a longtime supporter of Valentines for Troops, sending thousands of DVDs to the troops. This is his second year as a judge for Patriot’s Pen.

Principal Geissler recently said, “I have a great deal of respect for our veterans and the men and women currently in service. I volunteered to be a judge because this contest will promote writing and the well-deserved appreciation of our veterans.” 

Rev Solomon is the senior pastor at New Hope Community Church and serves as chaplain for the Newtown Police. He is also a captain with the Civil Air Patrol and its chaplain. His father fought in Germany during World War II.

The panel of judges for Voice of Democracy includes Newtown Middle School Principal Thomas Einhorn, Newtown Bee Associate Editor Shannon Hicks, and Mr Gaston.

Mr Einhorn said, “I am honored to have been selected as a judge.” He had looked forward to hearing Newtown students’ perspectives on why they feel that veterans are important to nation’s history and future. Prior to reading the essays, he had said, “I am sure that the quality of the entries will be high, making our judging difficult at best.”

In addition to being an associate editor for the Newtown's hometown newspaper, Shannon Hicks is also a member of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company. She has been the fire company’s Fire Prevention Committee chair for the past two years. She and other firefighters present programs to students and scouts about fire safety and the 911 system, “lessons that stay with them for the rest of their lives,” according to a press release.

Mr Gaston is a trial attorney and serving in his second selectman’s term. He also participates with similar competitions for college law students. Mr Gaston is the son of a combat veteran.

VFW District 1 Patriot’s Pen judges were Joseph Gaudett Jr, Bridgeport chief of police and Newtown resident; 129th District State Representative Auden Grogins of Bridgeport; and Trumbull High School teacher Kristin Ruggiero.

Voice of Democracy judges were: Newtown author Kelley Johnson, 28th District State Senator-elect Tony Hwang, and Monroe First Selectman Steve Vavrek.  

The Newtown VFW welcome new relationships with other organizations which share its goals. To partner with them, send an e-mail to vfwpost308newtown@gmail.com. For more information about the post and upcoming events, visit its website at vfwpost308.com, or visit the VFW Facebook page.