VFW Post 8867 And Auxiliary Award Students

BRICK – Local students received award citations and cash prizes of $2,400 total, during the annual VFW Student Awards Program at the Post. Students from Brick Township High Schools and Middle Schools participated in written and audio essays. The Voice of Democracy patriotic audio-essay competition is open to students in grades 9 to 12. “America: Where Do We Go from Here?” was the 2022-23 theme.

Brick Memorial HS student Gavin Hansen placed 1st, Isabella Dayton 2nd and Areeba Zulkarnain 3rd. Brick Township HS: 1st place, Guy Anthony Zarrilli, 2nd Isabella Campione, 3rd Vincent Lambusta.

VFW Post 8867 Cmdr. Nat Amadeo stated “The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. Annually VFW National top awards are a $30,000 scholarship to a high school student and $5,000 to middle school.”

“My Pledge to Our Veterans” was the theme for the Patriot’s Pen Essay contest for students in grades 6 to 8. Placing 1st at Veterans Memorial Middle School was Lachlan P. Smith, Liam Betz 2nd and Gerald Vizzone 3rd. Lake Riviera MS: 1st Anthony L. Galarza, 2nd Paige A. Gladfelter and 3rd Ava Lael Harmon.

Themes and rules for VFW Sponsored youth essay competition for 2023-24 can be found at VFW.org community/ youth & education/youth scholarships.