Submitted by Richard Gerbounka
Linden Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1397 encouraged Linden students to participate in the 2018 nationwide VFW sponsored Youth Essay competition. This competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme with prizes at the local, district, state, and national levels. All Post winners have their essays forwarded to the next level and have the opportunity to compete for the national title if they continue to win their respective divisions.
Commander Dennis Costello of Linden VFW Post 1397 was proud to award the High School 1st place prize to Collen Badalis for her “Voice of Democracy” essay: Why my vote matters. In the Middle School category, the winner was Isabella Buss and co-runner ups Kiley Winkler and Rodes Moustapa-Safe for their” Patriots Pen” essays: Why I honor the American Flag.
Commander Costello stated he was proud of all the Linden students who participated in this contest and how eloquently they expressed their positive views of our democracy. In particular he was extremely impressed with the winners. They used this opportunity to put in writing how appreciative they are of living in this great country. Next year Commander Costello is looking forward to doubling our student participation and rewarding more students with awards.
(above, l-r) Jr. Vice Commander George Feliciano, Isabella Buss, Rodes Moustapa -Safe, Kiley Winkler, and Commander Dennis Costello. Not pictured Collen Badalis.
