Liliana Saunders, an eighth-grade student at Negaunee Middle School, and Gabriel Grondz, a freshman at Westwood High School, have been honored for essays in the recent Patriots Pen and Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy programs, respectively.

Saunders and Grondz were honored at a recent banquet in downstate Kalamazoo.

Saunders’ essay was titled “How Can I Be a Good American?” The essay took first place in the local VFW Patriots Pen essay competition, eventually earning top honors in the district, which covers the Upper Peninsula.

Saunders’ essay also impressed the state judges, earning her a $500 scholarship from the VFW and its auxiliary.

Gabriel Grondz, a freshman at Westwood High School, has been honored for essays in the recent Patriots Pen and Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy programs, respectively. He recently were honored at a banquet in downstate Kalamazoo. (Photo courtesy of WHS)

“I just talked about how it’s about standing for our flag and supporting our country,” she said. “It’s about living my life respecting America and our values.”

For Saunders, patriotism is close to home as well, “like buying from local businesses.”

Writing good essays, though, has its benefits.

Saunders said that when she traveled downstate, she met many great people.

“I learned about how to make new friends from different places,” she said. “I also gained a lot of confidence having to speak in front of a huge group of people at my school and going down there.”

Saunders encourages other youths to take part in the competition.

“It was a lot of fun and I learned some new stuff,” she said.

Grondz’s essay topic was “America: Where Do We Go From Here?” He was awarded first place at the VFW post and district level, advancing him to the state level. Grondz was among 12 statewide finalists and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship form the VFW and auxiliary.

“The approach I took with it was addressing the problems America faces and how we could address them before our country comes to a fall,” Grondz said.

He showcased some of those problems, such as the U.S. not having the patriotism it once had.

“We are becoming a country where our work ethic is slowing,” Grondz said.

Grondz has a few ideas on how to solve those issues.

“For patriotism, rather than just throwing it away, you could stand for the flag because I see people in my own school not doing that, and thanking people for what they do,” he said. “For example, the veterans.”

He too absorbed new knowledge from his experience.

“I learned a lot more than I had,” Grondz said. “Not only did I learn about the issues we face as a country, I learned about different people and how they act with everything, not only veterans but people I met through the event as well, around my similar age.”

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.