The national contests are known as the Voice of Democracy at the high school level and Patriot’s Pen at the middle school level.

This year’s topic for the Voice of Democracy was “Why veterans are important to our nation’s history and future,” while the topic for the Patriot’s Pen contest was “Why I appreciate American veterans.”

Taking first place in the Voice of Democracy contest was Spencer Finkbiner.

William Woodyard placed second and Emma DeMaranville third in the high school essay contest.

In the Patriot’s Pen contest, Dylan Lee Aitkens placed first, Jakob Foley second and Reagan Arthaud third.

DeMaranville also placed second place at the district level, while Emma Wogoman also placed second at the district level for the Patriot’s Pen contest.

Art Miller, Tonganoxie VFW member and local coordinator for the contests, said there were about 145 entries submitted from the middle school for the Patriot’s Pen contest and roughly 70 for the Voice of Democracy contest.

Tonganoxie VFW Post 9271 members judge all of the essays in picking their top winners. All entries are sent on to the district level to be judged. The top district winner advances to state and then those winners are invited to Washington, D.C., where essays compete in the finals competition.

Daniel Stueckemann, 1st District Commander, was on hand for the ceremony last month.