VFW and Auxiliary Post Recognize Area Students

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary Post 3107 hosted their annual awards and Christmas dinner on Dec. 14, at the Glasgow VFW. With approximately 80 people in attendance, turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, buns, delicious dessert and good company were enjoyed by all.

After delicious food was had, students from Opheim, Hinsdale and Glasgow were recognized for a variety of merits for their participation in the Patriot's Pen writing contest, the Voice of Democracy writing contest and Irle students were recognized for the Buddy Poppy coloring contest.

The Patriot's Pen contest allows sixth through eighth graders to write an essay expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. This year's theme was "America's Gift to My Generation," and three students were recognized for their responses. Opheim's Cole Taylor and Hinsdale's Montana Idler were presented a certificate and $100 for their entry while Glasgow's Kambria Ross was recognized as the Post's winner. She was not only presented with a certificate and $100, but also an honorary pin. Her entry will be forwarded onto the State level competition.

The Voice of Democracy contest allows students in ninth through 12th grade to compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year's theme was "American History: Our Hope for the Future," and two students were recognized for their responses. Glasgow's Alex Fransen and Hinsdale's Elise Stommen were presented with certificates and $100 for their entries. Strommen was recognized as the Post's winner for this contest, and her entry will also be forwarded onto the State level competition.

Before being presented with their awards, the students read their submitted essay. According to Post Quartermaster Jason Patridge, who also handed out the awards, "As an Iraq veteran, it was very emotional hearing the students having great pride in their country. I was tearing up as I listened to each and every one of them."

After the students were recognized, the 2016/2017 Teacher of the Year award was presented to Glasgow High School's Mr. Todd Glaser and the 2017/2018 Teacher of the Year award was presented to East Side School's Mrs. Claudine Jamba. Both Glaser and Jamba were presented with a certificate and $100 for their efforts in inspiring students. The VFW Teacher of the Year award contest recognizes teachers for their outstanding commitment to teacher Americanism and patriotism to their students.

The Auxiliary then presented certificates and a $2 bill to Irle school students who won the Buddy Poppy coloring contest in their grade level. Winners included kindergartner Saunten Gamas, first-grader Aiden Wixson, second-grader Aaron Mickelson, third-grader Anell Chavez, fourth-grader Kolbe Ross and fifth-grader Allison Bailey.