Illustrating America is a program that is in its third year, sponsored by the National VFW Auxiliary and on down to local posts and states. It is open to grades Kindergarten through second; 3third through fifth, and sixth through eighth grades.

“This has very few restrictions on the art and is a person’s interpretation of America to them,” Jackie Plank, Sr. Vice President of Muldrow VFW Auxiliary Post 8384, said. “The goal is to get kids to participate at the younger grade levels with the goal that when they are in ninth through 12th grades they will enter the Patriotic Art Scholarship Contest, also sponsored by the National VFW Auxiliary.”

Plank said winners are as follows: Third through fifth – first place, Kaitlynn Biles, fifth grade, Liberty Elementary; second place, Bentley Kearney, third grade, Liberty Elementary; and third place, Bailey Ross, third grade, Liberty Elementary.

Sixth through eighth – first place, Carly Rhineheart, seventh grade, Roland Middle School; second place, Alexandria Edwards, seventh grade, Liberty Elementary; and third place, Landon Watson, sixth grade, Liberty Elementary.

Rhineheaart also place first at the state level and has advanced to national competition.

“The Muldrow VFW Post 8384 and VFW Auxiliary 8384 would like to thank all of the participants this year and the schools that helped support these youth programs. Without everyone working together, there would be no participation or programs for these kids,” Plank said.