ISHPEMING — Veterans of Foreign Wars District 14 posts and auxiliaries announce the winners of the essay competition for the Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen awards, including Teacher of the Year.

The Voice of Democracy essay theme was “Why My Vote Counts” and the winner was Meg Harmon, at Westwood High School sophomore from Ishpeming Township.

The Patriot Pen essay theme was “Why I Honor the American Flag” and the winner was Madison McKerchie, an eighth-grade home schooler from Sault Ste. Marie.

Both young women will now compete with other winners from across the state at the VFW State Convention in Kalamazoo. Winners there advance to the VFW National Convention in Washington, D.C., for a chance to win scholarship awards, $30,000 for Voice of Democracy and $1,000 for Patriot Pen.

Marius Grazulis, a Negaunee High School teacher, is the Teacher of the Year. He teachers world and Michigan history as well as government and current events.

Harmon, McKerchie and Grazulis will be honored at the VFW District Spring Convention at the Ishpeming VFW Post 4573 on April 27.