VFW honors essay contest finalists, Eagle Scout
By Bill Tamburrino
Ramona Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3783 honored seven students with plaques, medals, badges, certificates, pins and cash awards.
Student honorees at the VFW meeting on Nov. 16 included a Boy Scout who recently earned his Eagle ranking, three Olive Peirce Middle School students who are
finalists in the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest, and three Ramona High School students who are finalists in the Voice of Democrary contest.
The meeting started with the commander of the Biggest Little Post in San Diego County, John “Pontiac” Hine, honoring Alec Richardson, who recently fulfilled all of the requirements for earning the rank of Eagle Scout in Ramona Troop 679. He has earned 26 merit badges, finished his service project and passed all of the requirements. His Court of Honor will be in January.
Hine stated during the ceremony that Richardson’s service project was erecting a new sign for VFW Post 3783.
“Many longtime residents of Ramona have told me that they didn’t know where our post was until Alec put up the new sign,” said Hine.
Richardson received a plaque and a check to help further his education. An A student, Richardson has been awarded an NROTC scholarship to Texas A&M University and is waiting news on his application to the United States Naval Academy, where he hopes to study to become an astronaut. Being an Eagle Scout will improve his chances since all of the footprints left on the moon were left by Eagle Scouts.
Hine then announced the three finalists from Olive Peirce Middle School in the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest: Shaylee Lessler, Ashley Enniss and Kylie Scheib. All received plaques, a badge, a pin, certificate and checks.
Enniss and Lessler, who will advance in the contest, read their essays to the audience at the VFW. Lessler was the local winner and will advance with Enniss in the national contest. Ingrid Forbes, the National Junior Honor Society adviser at OPMS, motivated the students to enter the contest and accompanied her three students.
The theme of the essays was “Are You Proud of Your Country?”
Hine then announced the three finalists in the Voice of Democracy Speech Contest: Ramona High School students Ellen Douglass, Dallas Forbes and Cody Anderson-Parks. This year’s theme was “Is there pride in serving in the military?”
Douglass took first place in the local competition and will advance in the national contest.
She read her speech and the audience was awed by her presentation.
All three high school finalists received a plaque, a badge, a pin, a certificate and a check to help with their education.
Monetary awards to all of the students ranged from $100 to $200.