The Muldrow VFW is proud to announce this year’s winners of the Voice of Democracy speech contest and Patriot’s Pen essay contest.

This year’s theme for the Voice of Democracy contest was “What Are The Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?”

The first place winner was Parker Maher, 11th grader at Gans High School, who received a medal and combined award of $450. Parker has also placed first in District competition and has progressed to the State of Oklahoma competition. The State of Oklahoma judging will be held on Jan. 15, 2024.

The second place winner was Makinzie Kimble, ninth grader at Gans High School, who received a medal and combined award of $325.

The third place winner was Alli LaPeele, 10th grader at Muldrow High School, who received a medal and combined award of $225.

The Patriots Pen Essay theme, open to grades in sixth through eighth, was “How Are You Inspired by America?”

The first place winner was Jackson Rhodes, eighth grader at Muldrow Middle School. He received a medal and combined award of $450.

Second place winner was Hudson Hicks, sixth grader at Liberty Elementary, Roland. He received a medal and a combined award of $325.

The third place winner was Keelan Smith, eighth grader at Liberty Elementary, Roland. He received a medal and combined award of $225.

The Muldrow VFW Post 8394 would like to thank Gans High School, Muldrow Middle School, Muldrow High School, Roland Middle School, and Roland High School; the students who participated and entered; and the judges who gave of their time to read the essays and listen to all the speeches.

Without these mentioned schools, participants and judges, there would be no winners or contests.