• Article Photo. Some of the essay winners
    Some of the essay winners
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  • Article Photo. Dale Henry speaks with Tilford children before presenting Patriotic Youth Awards
    Dale Henry speaks with Tilford children before presenting Patriotic Youth Awards
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Our Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Auxiliary 8884) in Vinton holds an Elementary 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Essay contest each year. The 5th grade students are all at Shellsburg along with 3rd, and 4th graders at Tilford. This year we had 106 third graders; 106 Fourth graders and 88 fifth graders in the two schools combined. A total of 300 students wrote essays for us. Thanks to the 17 teachers that assisted the students in writing them as a classroom project. When school starts in the fall the themes are given to the teachers (we usually provide themes before school dismisses for the summer) so they can put in the criteria for the upcoming year. In the fall they are turned back into our Auxiliary. The essays are judged by community members. The top winners in each grade will go on to the District competition. The first place winner at the District level will advance to the State competition. The top two Essays at the state level receive a certificate and a check. First place receives a $50 check, and the second place winner a $25 check. The essays were all great. We are proud of every student. We have a certificate for every student with their essay back to back and laminated. The certificates were made by member Brenda Verno, and she also purchased the laminating sheets for essays. The top 13 students in each grade receive a medal. The medal is engraved on the back with their name, and teacher's name, "sponsored by VFW Aux 8884" and where they placed out of the total essays written in their grades. A red, white and blue ribbon is attached to the medal. Donna Roepke-a life member of our VFW Aux 8884 made a monetary donation to purchase the medals. She and Don Roepke (Donna's husband) enjoyed coming to the awards at VS schools. After Don passed away Donna continues to support this program with a monetary donation for medals. Tilford held their essay awards on Wednesday, March 29th,2023. The 3rd & 4th graders, teachers and staff attended in the auditorium at Tilford. 18 students received medals, which Donna Roepke placed on the students. The certificates were presented by VFW and Auxiliary members at the same time as medals. The teachers also received an appreciation certificate from our VFW Aux 8884. The schools also received an appreciation certificate for the whole staff. The remaining students received their certificates from their teachers in their classrooms because time limitations. The 3rd-grade theme this year was: "I Love America Because"; 4th-grade theme: "My Favorite patriotic Holiday and why?" The 5th-grade theme: "I am Proud to be An American" Winners at Tilford: 3rd grade: Hyland's class-Gregory Svoboda, Daxon Marter, Leni Nosbisch, Presley PopeHaisman's class-Mackenize FisherStrub's class-Jade O'HalloranHoeger's class- Bliss Roster Miller's class-Mackenzie Conner 4th grade: Romman's class-Karsyn Lianeza4th grade: Phillip Coburn; Reed's class-Eli Kettler, Jack Higgins Meyer's class-Addie Schirm, Jantz JohnsonSexton's class-Andrew Lukaska, Cooper Hansen.
Thank you to Tilford Staff and Students for such a great afternoon!! Shellsburg Elementary students received their awards Friday-March 31,2023. So more winners to come!