Members of Sequim Veterans of Foreign War Post 4760 honored several students for their patriotic essays on Feb. 20.

Six of the eight student winners attended the ceremony for their work on Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen and general essays.

A few students won VFW District 14 in their respective categories with the district consisting of eight posts on the North Olympic Peninsula.

District winners include

• Anabrie Hales of Port Angeles, the Voice of Democracy contest;

• Nigel Barclay of Sequim, the Patriot’s Pen, and fourth place at the state competition;

• Gideon Hales of Port Angeles, the third-grade essay, and fourth place at state;

• Robert Fickett of Brinnon, the fourth-grade essay;

• and Kalob Helvey of Sequim, the fifth-grade essay

Sequim VFW Post winners included Anna Miller, Arora Himmelberger and Kolby Helvey.

Sequim organizers said the essay competitions consist of three levels with varying themes each year, due by Nov. 1.

For the third-fifth grade essays, they were asked to write from the prompt, “Why do I stand for my country’s flag?”

For middle school Patriot’s Pen writers grades sixth-eighth, they were asked, “How can I be a good American?”

High schoolers in the Voice of Democracy contest were asked, “America: Where do we go from here?”

Organizers said high school students had to record themselves reading the essay and submit that, too.

VFW District 14 Commander Steve Henrikson said they were impressed with Anabrie Hales, a 10th-grader, because she competed against juniors and seniors.

Each post was allowed to advance one winner for every 15 entries, organizers said, and with 45 entries Sequim advanced three winners to the district competition.

From there, they had a chance to advance at the state and then national levels with $154,000 in national prizes this year, including a $30,000 scholarship for the Voice of Democracy winner.

For more information about participating in essays, contact VFW District 14 Commander Steve Henrikson at secretary@ vfwpost4760.com.