SAN LUIS VALLEY — The Veterans of Foreign War Posts and Auxiliaries of District 7 recently announced the winners of the 2020-21 “Voice of Democracy” essays.

VFW Auxiliary 8121 had four winners. Each student received a certificate of participation and money.

The theme was “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?” The first-place winner was Sargent High School senior Caleb U. Rabon. He received $100. The second-place winner was Del Norte High School senior Soren K. Wheeler Bailey. She received $50. The third-place winner was Sargent High School senior Autumn L. Yocom. She received $25. The fourth-place winner was Sargent High School senior Christopher Brandt. He received $15.

For the Patriots Pens Essay in the middle schools, there were no local entries.

“VFW and its Auxiliaries would like to encourage high school and middle school students to participate in our scholarship programs,” local officials stated. “These essays are open to public, private and parochial schools and home-schooled students.”

VFW will be going to schools at the beginning of the school year with posters and entry forms. The 2021-22 theme for Voice of Democracy is “America: Where Do We Go From Here?” And the theme for Patriots Pen is “How Can I Be A Good American?”

“Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliaries would like to thank all of the winners and all the participants who entered these scholarship programs. And a special thanks to the teachers for encouraging the students,” officials stated.

For more information, contact Peggy Martinez, chairman Auxiliary 8121 Del Norte/South Fork, at 719-850-3066; Nadia Florez, chairman Auxiliary 899 Alamosa, at 719-580-4949; or Sharon Chavez, chairman Auxiliary 4849 Antonito, at 719-580-2217.