“My Vision for America” was the theme of the National Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy contest recently completed for the 2015-16 school term at Parkland High School.

Dillon Yount, ninth grader, garnered first prize.

He is a student of Caliope Volikas.

Kayla L. Piacquadio, 10th grader, won second followed by third prize winner Megan Neely, 10th grader, both students of Dale Ritter.

The three were awarded plaques and monetary prizes during a special ceremony with three members of VFW Post 12099 of Allentown, speaking and answering student questions on their military and life experiences.

Past Post 12099 Commander Joseph Zeller, WWII and Korea veteran; Post Commander Michael Schnur, Vietnam veteran; and Post Trustee Robert Greene, Vietnam veteran, participated.

The National Veterans of Foreign Wars has sponsored this patriotic and auto essay competition since 1947 with almost 40,000 high school students Nationwide competing for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives.

Prizes are awarded at the post, district, state and national level.

State winners receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the city and to be honored by the VFW and its VFW Auxiliary with the top scholarship being $30,000.

In addition to the Parkland entries in the Voice of Democracy contest this school term, VFW Post 12099 of Allentown advanced essays to the District VFW in the sixth to eighth grade levels in the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen competition from both Northwestern Lehigh and Brandywine Heights middle schools.

The Patriot’s Pen winner on the National level receives $5,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C.

The VOD theme for 2016-17 (grades nine to 12) is “My Responsibility to America” while the Patriot’s Pen (grades six through eight) will be “The America I Believe In.”

Teachers and students in public, private or parochial schools are encourage to enter this competition with their entries for the 2016-17 school term due by Nov. 1 to their local VFW Post.

For additional information, contact VFW Post 12099 Coordinator Joseph Zeller at 610-298-3254, email annawertman@verizon.net or visit the National VFW website at vfw.org .