Metea Valley Student Places 4th In VFW Essay Contest

AURORA, IL — Of about 1,550 Illinois high school students who submitted essays as part of a Veterans of Foreign War contest, one Metea Valley High School junior won fourth place.

Ethan Devany submitted his writing — this year's theme was "America: Where Do We Go From Here?" — to Warrenville Memorial Post 8081 as part of the Voice of Democracy scholarship contest. In his piece, he discussed the parallels between the United State's future and the symbolic bald eagle, according to his mom, Melinda.

The Aurora student was chosen as the post's winner in November before going on to win the VFW 19th District's first place award in January, his mom said. As the winner, he delivered a speech to attendees at an awards banquet.

Mid-February, the 17 Voice of Democracy district winners, as well as three middle school Patriot's Pen winners, traveled to Springfield, where state winners were announced. During the trip celebrating Abraham Lincoln's birthday, the students participated in an ice cream social and pizza party and toured several sites, including the Old State Capitol and Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

State finalists were honored at a banquet at the Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center. As the fourth-place state winner, Devany received the Dale & Catherine Clifton Scholarship Award of $1,000.

The first-place state winner will move on to the national level, competing for the top prize that includes a $30,000 scholarship.