The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8971 and Ladies Auxiliary sponsors an Americanism essay contest for Eunice students.
Students from all Eunice elementary, junior high and high schools enter and participate in the contest.
First, second and third place winners were awarded for their creativity and originality of the essays and drawings. They received cash and trophies.
The awards ceremony was held Wednesday at the Eunice VFW 190 East Hall.
Some of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8971 and Auxiliary members were present. Mistress of ceremonies was Bernita Briscoe, Auxiliary treasurer and chairperson of Americanism, Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen.
Those VFW Post and Auxiliary members present included Donnie Fontenot, VFW Post 8971 commander, Bob Witkovski, post member, Michael Ballard, post member, Gloria Olivier, auxiliary, Linda Thibodeaux, auxiliary, and Debbie Atkins, senior vice president auxiliary.
Students winning first place receive $50, second place $35 and third place is awarded with $25. Students in the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy categories had a chance to win $100 for first place, $75 second place and $50 for third placement.
The following is a list of all winners with the respective schools:
Category 1, Kindergarten: A coloring of the American Flag.
Elyse Zaunbrecher, St. Edmund Elementary, first place;
Dawson Fuselier, St. Edmund Elementary, second place;
Fletcher Daggett, East Elementary, third place.
Category 2, First and Second grades: Americanism (A drawing and coloring of the American flag)
Adam Vidrine, Glendale Elementary, first place;
Gracie Soileau, East Elementary, second place;
Rynlee Pierre, Glendale Elementary, third place.
Category 3, Third and Fourth grades: Americanism (Drawing of a historical event)
Jolie Babineaux, East Elementary, first place;
Zailee Rozas, East Elementary, second place;
Emma Carriere, East Elementary, third place.
Category 4, Americansim essay, Fifth grade, “How I Honor Veterans.”
Jo Anna Leger, St. Edmund, first place;
Emmy Garcille, St. Edmund Elementary, second place;
Clara Leger, St. Edmund, third place.
Patriot’s Pen, Grades Sixth, Seventh and Eighth “My Voice in America’s Democracy” essay.
Kristen Semien, Eunice Jr. High, first place;
De’Zira Thomas, Eunice Jr. High, second place;
Naomi Ordaz, Eunice Jr. High, third place.
Voice of Democracy, Ninth-through twelfth-grades. An Audio essay, with a theme, “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?”
Destiny Labbe, Eunice High, first place;
Elijah Johnston, Eunice High, second place;
Vivian Andrus, Eunice High, third place.
