Two LaSalle Parish students were recently honored by the District 10 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for placing in essay contests.

Jena Junior High School student Owen Girlinghouse and Jena High School student Peyton Girlinghouse, each wrote essays as part of the VFW’s annual essay contest last fall. The siblings won first place at Whatley- Flaherty VFW Post 5002 contest level and were recognized during Veterans Day events in Jena last November. Their essays were featured in this newspaper in last November’s Veterans Day coverage.

From there, their essays were sent to the district level of competition where they competed against six other posts in District 10. Both students won third place at the district level.

District 10 Commander James Rabalais of Plaucheville was present in Jena at the VFW lodge last Thursday night, where he spoke and made official presentations to the Girlinghouses, including a certificate, medallion and monetary award.

“Congratulations to the post for having these winners and to both Owen and Peyton for their essays,” Rabalais said. “I’ve been doing this for many years and to have these two compete for the first time and win at this level is outstanding.”

Owen won third place for his Patriot’s Pen essay, which had the theme of “How are you inspired by America?” Peyton won third place for her Voice of Democracy essay with the theme, “What are the greatest attributes of our democracy?”

The District Commander noted that first place winners at the district level compete at the state level. Winners at the state level compete at the national level for a chance to win thousands of dollars in prize money.

“For Patriot’s Pen (grades 6-8) at the national competition, students have a chance to win a portion of $55,000 with first place receiving $5,000,” he noted. “For Voice of Democracy (grades 9-12) at the national competition, students have a chance to win a portion of $171,000 with the first place winning a scholarship for $35,000. Plus, if they win at the state level, they receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. for the VFW national meeting.”

Rabalais also noted that each year, approximately 27,000 students participate in the Voice of Democracy competition and he encouraged VFW Post 5002 members to continue working hard to have more students participate in the essay contests.

“Now that you have two winners from your post, work harder next year to get even more to participate,” he said. “Visit the schools, talk with teachers, get your grandkids to do it. There is a lot of money they can win.”

Rabalais noted that Owen and Peyton are shining examples of all that is good among today’s youth.

“You have set an example of freedom and democracy that all youth in America should aspire to,” he said of Owen. “You have been designated as an outstanding spokesperson for freedom and a shining example of youth in America (he said of Peyton).”

Owen and Peyton are the children of Kurt and Deborah Girlinghouse of Jena.

For more information about either of the essay contests, contact VFW Post 5002 Commander Steve Thomas at (318) 316-2871.