Two SCCPSS Students And SAA Teacher Honored With VFW Awards

Savannah GA

04 February, 2021

11:14 AM

Description

Press release from the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System: 2/3/2021 Local VFW Post 660 recently announced the scholarship winners of their Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen competitions along with the Post's Teacher of the Year. New Hampstead High 9th Grader Shahiem Newton was selected as the 2nd place winner in the Voice of Democracy Competition. The competition is open to students in grades 9-12. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. The entries are judged on originality, content, and delivery. Each year, nearly 57,000 high school students throughout the nation compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. This year's theme was, "Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?" In the Post's Patriots Pen competition, Rice Creek School 6th graders Malei Clausell was the 1st place winner. This youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. More than 138,000 students nationally participated in this competition last year. Essays are judged on Knowledge of the Theme, Theme Development and Clarity of Ideas. As a local Post winner, Malei will now advance to District competition for the opportunity to move on to State Competition. Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects elementary, middle and high school teachers to participate in the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program. Eligible teachers are those who are certified /licensed in grades K-12. Prime candidates are those who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism. This year's VFW Post 660 1st place Teacher of the Year winner is Margaret Sheehan of Savannah Arts Academy. Congratulations to all our winners! This press release was produced by the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. The views expressed here are the author's own.