Every year students at Marion Middle School and Marion High School get an opportunity to try their hand at writing essays for scholarships offered through the Veterans of Foreign Wars and sponsored by the Marion VFW Post 6958 and its Ladies Auxiliary.

Patriot’s Pen was the middle school essay contest, with 72 seventh- and eighth-grade students participating. The theme of the essay was: “Are You Proud of Your Country?” The essays were judged by members of the staff of the Marion County Record.

Eight-grader Monica Harrison placed first in her division and received a $100 U.S. savings bond. Sarah Tajchman placed second, receiving a $50 savings bond. Third-place finisher Alli Boyd also received a $50 savings bond.

In the seventh-grade division, Taylor May placed first to win a $100 savings bond. Nathan Baldwin, second place, and Cassie E. Vanderbilt, third place, were each awarded a $50 savings bond.

Post 6958 hasn’t received notification of how the first-place finishers fared in the district-level competition.

High school students competed in the Voice of Democracy spoken essay scholarship contest, with a theme of “Is there Pride in today’s Military?”

Eight high school students participated. Caitlyn M. Maloney received $100 for placing first, and her essay was published in the Dec. 28 edition of the Marion County Record. Her essay received third place in district competition.

Katey Ehrlich placed second and received $75. Taylor D. Heidebrecht placed third and received $40. Alicia Maloney, Megan Richmond, Luke Steele, Alicen Whitaker, and Jared Hague each received $10 for competing in the contest. Post 6958 matched the amounts given.

Certificates of Award, along with cash awards, were distributed Dec. 18 at Marion VFW Post 6958 Home. Each winner read their essay to the audience. A reception was held for all the winners, their families, and guests following the ceremony.