Winners are announced in youth patriotic essay contest

The winners have been announced in the 2025-2026 Patriot's Pen patriotic essay competition sponsored by the Wilmont VFW and VFW Auxiliary #2603. The essay competition gives students in sixth through eighth grades an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme.

Earning first place in the Wilmont VFW sponsored competition was Karmen Martinez from Worthington Middle School. Jayden Meinders, Fulda, was the second-place winner, and third place went to Regan Penning from VIBE Online Learning in Worthington.

Each winner received a Patriot’s Pen certificate and a monetary gift with first place receiving $75, second place $50, and third place $25. The essays written by Martinez, Meinders, and Penning were submitted by the Wilmont VFW for District Level competition. Penning’s submission won first place at District and was forwarded to the Minnesota state competition.

"How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” was the theme for this year’s essay competitions.