JAY — The Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] Post 3335 was filled with people on Sunday, Jan. 12, to recognize the Patriot’s Pen, Voice of Democracy, and Teacher of the Year award winners at the local and district level.

Members of the Jay VFW were present as well as the winners of the scholarship contests, their family, and VFW post commanders from Auburn and Rumford.

The afternoon began with a hot meal consisting of pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans. Apple cinnamon cake was offered for dessert as well. The meal was prepared by Jay VFW Auxiliary members who were recognized by Jennifer Lane, the Auburn VFW Post 1603, District 9, and past District Commander.

After lunch, Co-Chairman of the essay contests at the local and district level Jim Manter spoke. He invited eighth-grader of Spruce Mountain Middle School Ayden Perry up to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Manter than explained some of the terms he would be using for those who may have been unfamiliar.

He explained that the “district” includes four VFW posts; Jay, Auburn, South Paris, and Rumford, and that the “department” includes all VFW posts in the state of Maine, around 40 posts.

Manter introduced the essay contests, sharing that the program sees over 70,000 participants per year and gives out over $1.8 million in scholarships.

Co-Chairman Kim Cote explained the Patriot’s Pen, Voice of Democracy, and Teacher of the Year prompts and guidelines. The Patriot’s Pen essay contest is for grades six through eight and this year’s prompt was “My voice in America’s democracy.”

The Voice of Democracy contest is for high schoolers and required a speech be delivered orally. The theme this year was “Is America today what the forefathers envisioned?” The Teacher of the Year award is judged based on engagement and a curriculum in patriotic subjects.

The winners of the Patriot’s Pen for the Jay post, out of over 48 submissions were Ayden Perry in first place and Landyn Anthony in second. Third place winner Avery Cook was absent.

The first place winner of the Voice of Democracy contest for the Jay post was Abdillath A Omar from Lewiston. Omar was absent from the ceremony.

For the District 9 level Patriot’s Pen essay contest, the winners were Landyn Anthony of Jay in first place, Corley Sunday of South Paris in second [absent from the ceremony], and Ayden Perry of Jay in third place.

The District 9 winners for the Voice of Democracy contest were Daisey Sweat of Rumford in first, Mason Wimberly of Auburn in second, and Ben Pooler of Auburn in third place.

The District 9 Teacher of the Year awards went to Mercedes McLean-Wheeler of Oxford Hills Middle School, who was absent, and Jonathan Carsley from Buckfield Jr./Sr. High School.

Manter read submissions from Ayden Perry and Landyn Anthony and Daisey Sweat read her speech aloud.

“Nearly 250 years ago, the founding fathers dreamed of a country the world had not yet seen before,” read Sweat. “A country of democracy, where individual liberties were celebrated and freedom was paramount.

While their ideals were executed in the short term, how they’ve stood against the test of time is up for debate today. While some aspects of America still respect the ideals of the founding fathers’ vision, modern-day challenges complicate this idea.”

In the end, Sweat determined that although much has changed, America still technically abides by the original intent of the Founding Fathers, with some flexibility.

Winners accepted their award certificates and checks and posed for photos.

Special guests at the event included Lane as well as:

Department quartermaster and past department Commander Dave Williams from Rumford VFW Post 1641.

Rumford VFW Post 1641 Commander Hal Watson.

Rich Hatch from South Paris Post 9787 quartermaster and past district commander.

Jay VFW Post 3335 Commander Abbie Dodgins.

Frank W. Hulett VFW Post 1603 in Auburn Auxiliary President Kathy Davis [standing in for the District auxiliary president].

South Paris Post 9787 Auxiliary President Linda Record.

Auxiliary President Pam Manter from Jay VFW Post 3335.

Jim Manter also recognized teachers Denise Acritelli from Spruce Mountain Middle School and Jonathan Carsley from Buckfield Jr./Sr. High School.