On March 4 VFW Post 7215 held a banquet and awards ceremony for the five top winners from Northern Lehigh School District and five from Northampton School District.

There was also one Voice of Democracy winner from Northampton.The programs are held by the Auxiliary to R. W. Fritzinger VFW Post 7215, Walnutport.During the invocation, Chaplain Sue Bortz asked God to always be their traveling companion.Tom Brown, state VFW commander, said the day was a day for young people. "I appreciate the time you put in and hope you will follow up with Voice of Democracy entries when you reach high school.John Getz, state adjutant/quartermaster, told them it was a great thing they do in the essay contest. The top winner from each state went to Washington, D.C., recently for the national Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy winners. The top prize for the Voice of Democracy winner is $30,000 and the top winner in Patriot's Pen gets $5,000.Donna Mills, department president, said it was an honor and a privilege to meet the students who participated. "You are wonderful individuals."Each Patriot's Pen winner received citations from both the VFW and the Auxiliary, a backpack and notebook and a gift card from Walmart.The cards were valued at $100, first place; $75, second place; $50 third place; and $25 for fourth and fifth places. Brown gave each a state pin.The subject of their essays was "The America I Believe in."First-place winner from Northampton Olivia Vajda said the America that she believes in honors the ones who have risked their lives to bring peace, freedom and our rights as citizens. Her parents are Jason and Tammy Vajda.Second-place winner Elizabeth Fruendt said 9/11 was a tragic and sad day for all of us. For her, holidays such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July are for honoring people who have fought for our freedom. Her parents are Edward and Judy FruendtThird-place winner Emily Roehler said that believing in America means honoring. It honors soldiers who have fallen with statues, monuments and holidays. She told about many of the statues and memorials and holidays. Her parents are David and Michele Roehler.Isaiah Harris, fourth place, wrote of the many ways that military personnel are honored and says they should be thanked. He said that is the America he believes in and asks, "What kind of America do you believe in?" His parents are Laurance and Erin Harris.Fifth-place winner was Isabella Pina who said the Revolutionary War, Civil Rights and Women's Suffrage are ways that America has succeeded in equality for all Americans. She stressed the Civil War as ending slavery. Her parents are Eric and Sue Pina.Northern Lehigh first-place winner Joshua Sollars said America is one of the best countries in the world. He understands why many people want to come to the United States to live and says, "Not all immigrants are bad people." His parents are Andy and Billie Sollars.Second-place winner Ardit Mujovic said the America that he believes in needs to secure its borders. "Our country is a new country and we can only allow this country to get better," he said. His parents are Sefked and Filanxa Mujovic.Sofia Boyesen said in the America she believes in everyone would stand for the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. "I feel it is very disrespectful to the country and the people who love the United States for someone to sit or kneel and not partake in the pledge. Her parents are Dag and Sharon Boyesen.In fourth place was Patrick Hollenbach. He said the America he believes in has safety as its top priority. He believes police have been able to defend against terrorist attacks better each day. His parents are Travis and Debi Hollenbach.Brooke Bower took fifth place. She said the number of terrorist attacks decreased by 13 percent in 2015. That shows America is doing something right and can be relied on. Her parents are Sean and Jaclyn Bower.The Northampton Voice of Democracy winner was Miranda Heffelfinger. In addition to placing first locally, she placed second in the district. The theme for Voice of Democracy was My Responsibility to America. She said ways to help are volunteering, donating to charities, being involved, and having respect for the people who serve our country. We should work hard to reach our full potential. My responsibility to America is to help my country by being a good citizen and helping make it a better place to be. Her parents are Dean and Fran Heffelfinger.