VFW essay winners

CUSTER – The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW 5096 in Custer recently held an essay contest for middle school students. All entrants have the opportunity to compete in local and national levels, with a $5,000 award on the national level.

Judging was done in October by James Newkirk, Martin Schilling and Ron Wood.

The following received awards: First place Kaya Klotz of Ludington; second place: Ryan Edna

Makowicki of Ludington; third place: Jenny Kroon,of Ludington.

Awards are being presented at the Gold Bar VFW Hall, Sunday Jan. 13 at the 12th District VFW Voice of Democracy Awards Banquet.

The following students received Honorable Mention awards are: Nick Mediema, Adam Murphy, Maria O’Brien, Allison Thompson, Cynthia Wirtz ,Norm Beltz, Hannah Jaworski, Valerie Ramirez, Heather White, Andrew Allen, Kennedy Merrick, Jaclynn Tanant, Michaelia Malkowski, Kammi Malzahgn, Emily Van Dyke, Seth Wood,Tina Carrier, and  Andrew Tingay.

All who participated also received a VFW Patriots Pen from the Gold Bar Ladies Auxiliary 5096.

Participants were from Ludington Area Catholic and Mason County Central Middle School.

Donna Miszewski, president of the Gold Bar Ladies Auxiliary was also the chairman of the contest.

Submitted by Fran Nash, publicity chair