Woolwine Elementary School seventh-grader Elaina Hopkins won second place at the state level of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot’s Pen essay contest.

She was recognized in Williamsburg in January.

After winning the Meadows of Dan VFW Post 8467 contest, Hopkins was entered in the Fifth District competition where she received first place. She then advanced to the state competition.
Hopkins is one of two county students who did well at the VFW District level. Savannah Oxedine, a Patrick County High School senior, came in second in the district for her entry in the audio-essay Voice of Democracy competition. Her essay was submitted by Stuart VFW Post 7800.

The Patriot’s Pen contest is open to students in grades 6, 7 and 8 who write a 300- to 400-word essay in response to a statement that prompts them to consider how American history, democratic ideals and principals apply to their lives.

Cash prizes are awarded to winners at each level. The national Patriot’s Pen winner receives a $5,000 all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. This year’s essay theme was “The America I Believe In.”

In the Voice of Democracy audio-essay program, open to grades 9-12, students were asked to focus on “My Responsibility to America.” Cash prizes are also awarded at every level in the Voice of Democracy contest, and the national winner receives a $30,000 scholarship to the institution of his or her choice. First-place state winners receive a $1,000 scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

From Woolwine Elementary, VFW Post 8467’s essay judges advanced the following students: in third place, seventh-grader Corby Boyd, son of Alan and Christy Boyd; in second place, seventh-grader Krish Patel, son of Ashvin and Samapti Patel; and in first place, Elaina Hopkins, daughter of John and Merrill Hopkins Jr.

From Patrick County High School, VFW Post 7800 received 21 submissions for both contests. Post 7800 judges chose to advance the following three students: eighth-grader Mandy Welch for the Patriot’s Pen; and seniors Angel Redd and Savannah Oxedine for the Voice of Democracy.

Stuart VFW Post 7800 Commander Robert Fain congratulates the three students selected to advance to the District level. Essay judges chose eighth-grader Mandy Welch, left, for her Patriot’s Pen essay; and seniors Angel Redd, center, and Savannah Oxedine for their Voice of Democracy audio-essays. Oxedine placed second at the District level. Below, VFW Auxiliary State President Shema Peppers stands with Woolwine seventh-grader Elaina Hopkins and VFW State Commander Tom Gimble. Hopkins received second place in the state for her Patriot’s Pen essay.