SOUTHEAST MISSOURI (News First) – Local winners have been announced for VFW District 8 for the annual youth essay contest, Voice of Democracy Contest and Teacher of the Year awards. Randy Tolliver is the junior vice commander for VFW District 8.

First place goes to Sharon Albright and she was submitted by the DeSoto Post 1831. Second place goes to Jamie Shannon. She was submitted by Bonne Terre Post 6883. Third place goes to Lauren Wright and she was submitted by the Delos Post 2426. Ms. Cook and Mr. Husky and Ms. Albright will all now compete with entries from across Missouri.

The Patriots pin youth essay contest winners for District 8 are first place goes to Braille cook. She was submitted by post 6660 in Reynolds County. Second place goes to Lucas Husky. He was submitted by post 53 31 Cedar Hill and third place goes to Iris Luther and she was submitted by post 69 47 in Bismarck. Now at the high school level the voice of democracy audio essay winners are first place goes to Jacob Husky of Cedar Hill. Second place goes to Riley Skaggs of Reynolds County. He was submitted again by post 6660 and third place to Josephine Altoff of Cedar Hill again post 53 31.

VFW District 8 covers Crawford, Iron, Jefferson, Madison, Reynolds, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington counties. The Voice of Democracy Contest has been going on since  1947. State winners will receive scholarships of at least $1,000. The overall national winner will receive a whopping $35,000 scholarship.