Congratulations to this year's student winners in the Ladies' Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign War Patriot's Pen Essay Contest.

At an assembly at Sierra Foothill Charter School on Friday, December 12, 2014 Ladies' Auxiliary member Barbara Hamilton presented a gold medal and check for $50 to first place winner Tyler Mangan and a silver medal and check for $25 to second place winner Samantha Telles-Trujillo. The following week, Chuck Kendall, VFW Commander, presented a bronze medal and check to third place winner to MES student Ashley Shipman.

The contest was open to all sixth through eighth grade students countywide. This year's topic was "Why American Veterans are Important to Me.” Dr. Hamilton said that the panel of judges “were impressed by the empathy and thoughtfulness of the students’ essays. They were heartfelt and quite moving - a real tribute to our veterans.”

Mangan’s first place essay went on to win fourth place in the region.

Congratulations to these students. Great job to them and to all who entered the contest! Students will have a chance to compete again next year.