JACKMAN — Seventh grader Bryn Clausen and junior Tommy Sylvester were recognized at a recent Forest Hills school assembly on Nov. 18.

Students in grades 6-12 were invited to participate in an essay writing contest. For the Patriot’s Pen contest (grades 6-8), the theme was “How Can I Be a Good American?”

For the Voice of Democracy contest (grades 9-12), students had to prepare and present on the theme “America: Where Do We Go From Here?”

Both are national contests conducted annually by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Locally, the William B. Doughty Auxiliary No. 5723 of Jackman sponsors the contest and awards the winners a monetary prize.

Clausen was selected as the middle school winner out of 28 total participants, and Sylvester was chosen as the high school winner out of 10 participants.

The winning submissions will be sent to the district level to be judged. Grand prizes include scholarships and trips to Washington, D.C.

National winners are announced in March.

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