The youth of Northampton and Northern Lehigh got a chance to express their gratitude to the veterans of R.W. Fritzinger VFW Post 7215 as part of the Patriot’s Pen Award Program on Saturday.

The Auxiliary also hosted presentations of speeches for the VFW’s Voice of Democracy competition.

“Tonight is our Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy banquet,” Auxiliary President Karen Bandzi said. “We had five winners from Northampton Area Middle School, one winner from Northern Lehigh Middle School for the Patriot’s Pen. Going on to Voice of Democracy, we had one winner from Northern Lehigh, and two winners from Northampton Area.”

Students from Northampton Area Middle School, Northern Lehigh Middle School and Northampton Area Senior High School took to the VFW’s podium to read their award-winning essays on “America’s Gift to My Generation” and “American History: Our Hope for the Future” to a packed room of veterans and family members.

Hundreds of submissions were whittled down to a few top 10 lists, the likes of which were submitted to the VFW for judging.

Winners of the Patriot’s Pen from this Post will go on to the district competition, with first-place finishers from that portion advancing to the department, or state, level. A victory at the department competition secures a spot in the national competition, with prizes ranging from $500 to $5,000.

The Voice of Democracy competition advances in the same manner, with first-place state winners going on to the national finals in Washington, D.C., to compete for a top scholarship prize of $30,000.

Northern Lehigh’s first-place winner Nichella Allen focused on the expansion of learning capabilities in school over the course of history for her essay.

“We have English, science, math, social studies, reading and computers. We have technology today to progress and gain more knowledge,” she said.

Northampton’s Ryan Krug tied together elements of the importance of the military, along with the necessity of electricity.

“I picked my topic because it tied into what I do as a citizen,” he said. “Without our military, our country would possibly be ruled over by another country. We also may have no freedoms at all.”

Voice of Democracy winner Alison Lorah focused on the benefits of democracy, and how pivotal it is to the structure of America.

“I thought it was a good subject. It was a very important question to think about,” Lorah said. “It gives citizens rights. It gives them the freedom to say and think their opinions and thoughts. It allows them to use their voice and have a say in what happens in our country.”

Cheers and applause punctuated each essay, with the crowd struck by the heartfelt readings from each student.

“Some of these families probably have someone who served, and these stories really pertain to veterans. Some of these stories are really great,” Bandzi said.