For over 30 years, students at Lindsay High School have participated in the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW) Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program.
According to VFW’s official website, VOD is an audio essay contest created in 1947 for high school students. The contest provides more than $3 million annually in scholarships. Students compete at local, district, state and national levels and the first place winner overall receives a $30,000 scholarship to be paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school of choice.
This year, 12 students from Lindsay competed with senior Nick Bezner placing first, senior Kendall Neu placing second and sophomore Madison Parkhill placing third at the local level. The entry deadline was Nov. 1 and this year’s theme was "Service and sacrifice by America’s Veterans benefit today’s youth by..."
During Tuesday’s Veterans Program, hosted by Lindsay High School’s Student Council and held at the high school, both Bezner and Neu shared their essays with fellow students, staff and area veterans.
"In my essay, I talked about the birth rights we have today and how armies of our past instilled fear in our enemies," said first place winner Bezner who will go on to compete at the district level. "Serving is a good thing because it gives us safety and security."
Bezner has participated in VOD for three years and said his primary inspiration comes from his own family members who served.
"Both my grandpas were in the military and they’re just good working people," said Bezner. "I just wanted to honor what they gave for their country."
Neu also has participated in VOD for three years and has veterans in her own family as well, including her grandfather and two uncles.
"I tried to focus mine on our every day rights that we don’t really realize that we have," said Neu. "We’re born with them, so we don’t really know how many veterans fought for our rights."
Although this was Parkhill’s first year to compete in VOD, he shared the same enthusiasm and pride for veterans.
"I have a lot of people who have served in my family too," said Parkhill. "My great grandpa fought in the Battle of Midway and my great uncle was in the Marines. I have visited the navel academy and liked it a lot, so I might end up there someday."
To learn more about VOD or the VFW, please visit www.vfw.org.
Besides the VOD essay presentations, the Lindsay Veterans Day Program also featured a presentation of colors by Eagle Scout and student council member John Sweeney, a senior, and a performance of the National Anthem by senior and student council member KyLeigh Zimmere. Student council president Pooja Patel, a senior, planned the event and student council member Kyle Johnson, a sophomore, made the programs.
Local News
Lindsay students win VOD scholarships
- Local News
-
-
Randy Travis arrested in Sanger
SANGER — Country singer Randy Travis was arrested Monday morning in Sanger on a charge of suspicion of public intoxication.
-
In Memory of Andy
Gainesville Middle School designated Monday as Andy’s Lakers Day, in honor of Andy Sandoval, a GMS seventh-grader, who recently died of a brain aneurysm.
-
GHS students take top place finishes at academic meet
Several Gainesville High School students had top place finishes at the Ryan High School academic meet on Saturday.
Sophomores Mark Clark and Alexander “Alex” Huerta lead the leap of GHS leopards competing. -
Gainesville woman hit by car
THACKERVILLE, OKLA. — A road collision early Sunday morning near Thackerville injured one female pedestrian, a Gainesville resident whose identification has not been released by officials.
-
Gainesville native fights for justice
IDABEL, Okla. — An Idabel, Okla. police officer — reeling from the death of his friend and fellow officer — is trying to beef up his state’s negligent homicide laws.
-
As deadline approaches, election day unclear
As the Texas primary election approaches, a muddle continues locally and statewide as to exactly when election day arrives.
-
House District 68 candidates present platforms
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of a two-part report.
Texas House District 68 representative opponents stressed their intentions to mend local problems via “rural values” during Thursday’s candidate forum -
Cooke County emerges out of drought
For residents in Cooke County, one of the most severe droughts in Texas history is no longer a concern — for the time being, anyway.
-
Souper Bowl a super success
The aroma of some dozen different homemade soups filled the air Sunday in the lunchroom at the First Christian Church in Gainesville.
-
A mother's Love
VALLEY VIEW — She’s a crusader for special needs children and their parents, but Valley View resident Wendi Tipps doesn’t think of herself as a hero.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Murder Trial for Ex-U.Va. Lacrosse Player Begins
NY Giants Touch Down Victorious
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
