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All-American Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West Mifflin has selected four West Mifflin students as winners for this year’s ‘Voice of Democracy’ and ‘Patriot’s Pen’ essay contests.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West Mifflin Commander Jake Bradich and Quartermaster Gary Ruston along with the winners of the essay contests. Mariah Lewis for the ‘Patriot’s Pen’, and Tyler Krajacic, Jenny Rohach and Elena Piel for the ‘Voice of Democracy’ competition.

Awardees received $400 in prize money from the post, and a chance at thousands more through additional competition.

Garnering high honors for this year’s ‘Voice of Democracy’ competition were Tyler Krajacic, Jenny Rohach and Elena Piel from West Mifflin Area High School. The three winners each received a $100 check from VFW Post 914 Intrepid West Mifflin, as well as a VFW medal.  

Mariah Lewis of West Mifflin Area Middle School won the top prize for the post’s ‘Patriot’s Pen’ scholarship, earning a $100 prize and a VFW medal.

The topic for this year’s VOD essay contest was ‘Why My Vote Matters.’ Competitors for the Patriot’s Pen wrote to the theme of ‘Why I Honor The American Flag.” According to youth scholarship chairman and VFW 914 Post Quartermaster Gary Ruston, interest in the program has held steady over the years, and the quality of the essays received is good.

“The post has been proud to sponsor these programs over the last 25 years or so,” said Ruston, a Navy veteran of the Gulf War. “With each passing year, it seems to get harder and harder to judge the winners because every student is doing such a fine job.”

In addition to the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests, VFW Post 914 also sponsors the annual Walt Kuczma scholarship. Named after the post’s founder and first commander, the Kuczma scholarships are awarded each year to graduating seniors at West Mifflin Area High School and provide cash awards to three students seeking postsecondary education. Each Walt Kuczma scholarship winner receives a recognition certificate from the post, as well as monetary awards of $500, $300 and $200 respectively.

All applicants for the scholarships must have had a family member who served honorably in the United States armed forces. Those interested in applying should contact the high school’s guidance office.

For more information about VFW Post 914 and its activities, visit the group’s website at: http://traa.weebly.com/vfw-post-914.html, or contact Commander Bradich at 412-464-9838.

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