The Peter Graham Post and Auxiliary No. 2948 presented 34 students with certificates of merit for their participation in the Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen essay programs earlier this month.
The theme for the Voice of Democracy contest was “Why I'm optimistic about our nation's future,” and the Patriot's Pen theme was “What patriotism means to me.”
Hallie Bates, a senior at Falls High School, won the Voice of Democracy contest and Patriot's Pen winners are Molly Larson, first place; Reese Renollet, second place; and Tyler Coffield, third place. All three winners are FHS students. Jacy Jean Gerthofer, who attends Indus School, received an honorable mention.
The first place winners advanced to the district level for the respective contests. Bates took third place in her category and Larson received another first place recognition.
In addition to the student's awards, Falls High School English teacher Kayla Gilbert was presented with a certificate of merit for being an outstanding Americanism teacher, a release said.
