Bryn Clausen was recognized for her winning submission in the Voice of Democracy speech contest. From left are Glenn Umberger, national representative for Pennsylvania and keynote speaker; Lonwood Keller, auxiliary president; Clausen, District 5 winner; and Anthony Kimble, department commander. Back, from left, are Roger Stevens, department scholastics chairperson, and Natascha Minze, auxiliary scholastics chairperson. Submitted photo

Bryn Clausen, a 10th grade student at Forest Hills High School, was a guest of honor at the annual State Veterans of Foreign Wars Banquet, held Jan. 18 at the MacCrillis-Rousseau Post 8835 in Winslow.

Clausen was recognized at the ceremony for being Maine’s District 5 winner of the yearly Voice of Democracy national speech contest.

High school students were invited to participate in a national speech contest this past fall on the theme “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?” Clausen received local accolades in November at Forest Hills High School from the William B. Doughty Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 5723 of Jackman by placing first at the entry level. Her winning submission was sent along to the district level and was selected as the winner for District 5, which includes Dexter, Jackman, Fairfield, Madison, Farmington and Newport, according to a news release from Ami Amero, high school teacher at School Administrative District 12.

Her winning submission received recognition at the event and was formally presented by Glen Umberger, national representative; Lonwood Keller, auxiliary president; and Anthony Kimble, department commander, Maine.

For more information visit vfw.org.

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