Lincoln-Way West Students Take Top Prize in Patriotic Essay Contest

Lincoln-Way West students won top honors in the local New Lenox VFW Post 9545 Voice of Democracy writing contest. Hundreds of essays were received from high schools in Will County including Lincoln-Way West and Lincoln-Way Central.

Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) premier scholarship program. Each year, more than 100,000 high school students compete for more than $2.5 million in scholarships and incentives.

Students compete by writing and then recording a broadcast script on an annual patriotic theme. The theme for this year’s contest was “My Vision for America.”

The winners from Lincoln-Way West are junior Hannah Slater from Michelle Cartolano’s AP Language class, and senior Caitlyn McGrory from Mary Hilbert’s College Writing class. Hannah and Caitlyn will be honored at a banquet hosted by the local VFW.

Photo: Left to right: Mrs. Mary Hilbert, Caitlyn Mcgrory, Hannah Slater, Ms. Michelle Cartolano