On left is Olney Junior High School seventh-grade student Lorelei Perry-Church posing for a photo with her $250, VFW Post 8567 Patriot Pen Contest first-place check, alongside VFW Post 8567 Commander Linda Muggenborg.
Muggenborg poses with third place winer Kami Bednarz
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OJHS sweeps Patriot Pen contest

OLNEY— The Olney Junior High School seventh-grade class received a visitor bearing gifts after taking the top three places in the annual VFW Post 8567 Patriot Pen Youth Essay Contest.

The contest asks area youths to express their views on patriotism, which Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8567 Commander Linda Muggenborg said OJHS has a strong tradition of excellence.

“The one that has really participated has been Olney and Mr. [Scott] Clarke has been awesome,” Mussenborg said. “We appreciate him taking the time to participate. For the last two years, he has really encouraged the children and the last two years they have been first, second and third. He has been instrumental with the kids.”

This year’s winners include first place prize winner Lorelei Perry-Church, who took home $250 for her essay, followed by Clay Fite, who won $150, and Kami Bednarz, who won $75.

Mussenborg said the essay contest has a special importance for children in middle school because it teaches of the sacrifice made by their family members and the sacrifice they make one day make themselves.

“It affects them dramatically Mussenborg said. “A lot of these kids will go into the military and things like this remind them of what they are going in for.”