• VFW speech contest

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1537 and its Auxiliary sponsored and judged the National Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program recently. The theme was “Freedom’s Challenge.”

Four winners from West High School were announced: Katherine Miller, first place; Valerie Ogamba, second place; and Jaylene Mendoza and Erika Solis, third-place tie.

Katherine, who was awarded $100, will advance to the VFW district level, and if she keeps winning, she could go all the way to the national level in Washington, D.C., with a $30,000 scholarship as the grand prize.

Lynn DeSautels, speech and debate teacher at West High, presented the awards. Shirley Calvert, from the Ladies Auxiliary, was chairwoman of the contest.

• VFW writing contest

The winner of the Patriot’s Pen Patriotic Essay Writing Contest Scholarship Program also was announced by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1537 and its Auxiliary. The contest theme was “Citizenship in America.”

Lisa M. Thompson of Discovery Charter School won the local award and $100. She will compete at the VFW district level, and if she keeps winning, she could go all the way to Washington, D.C., for the national level.

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