For the Reporter

Three of VFW Post 1741’s Youth Essay participants were recently recognized for winning or placing in the District 11 Youth Essay competition at the annual District 11 Ice Cream Social and Essay Award ceremony.

VFW Post 1741 Commander Frank Bannister was on hand for the ceremony with the three youth essay winners.

Sam Swenson wrote on “Why I appreciate America’s veterans” and placed third among the eighth-grade entries.

Alondra Mendoza, a fifth-grader, and Caylea Kamakahi, a fourth-grader, were first-place finishers. The girls were asked to read their essays on, “What I can do to make our country better.”

Bannister was impressed with how well the two girls presented their essays in front of a large crowd of 75 or more people who attended the ceremony.

VFW sponsors the youth essay competition each year.