VFW Post 5702 has announced the winners of two essay competitions aimed at highlighting the accomplishments of local teachers and the communication skills of local students. The following release was submitted by Adjutant Doug Neralich.
Citizenship Education Teacher Award
Joanne Craw, a first grade teacher at the Heights Elementary School in Oakland, NJ, has been named Post 5702’s VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award winner. According to Post 5702 Commander Bob Talan, “the Award recognizes the nation’s top elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America’s history and traditions.”
In her nominating essay, colleague Bernadette Botbyl noted the range of activities that occur in Mrs. Craw’s class on a daily basis that promote America’s history, traditions, and patriotism. Students learn about flag etiquette, sing patriotic songs, read patriotic books, write letters to soldiers, and learn the words to the National Anthem. Mrs. Botbyl also noted: “Mrs. Craw has molded the future of America one child at a time and should be recognized for her contribution to America’s legacy.”
Mrs. Craw receives a framed certificate, a fifty dollar Staples gift card, and the gratitude of Post 5702’s membership. Since Adjutant Neralich is a retired teacher, he presented Mrs. Craw with a bag of red Delicious Apples
Patriot’s Pen
A submission to the VFW sponsored Patriot’s Pen essay contest has won Melissa Ann Birnhak, an eighth grade student at the Franklin Avenue Middle School in Franklin Lakes, recognition by the local VFW post, as well as VFW District 2 (Bergen County). Steve Vreeland, Commander of VFW District 2 (Bergen County) and Doug Neralich, Adjutant of VFW Post 5702 (Oakland/ Franklin Lakes), both presented Melissa with a certificate and monetary awards at a meeting of the Franklin Lakes Board of Education held on February 2, 2009.
The Patriot’s Pen, a youth-essay writing contest, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6, 7, and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme, and more than 115,000 students participate in the contest annually. This year’s theme was: Why America’s Veterans Deserve to Be Honored.
In her winning essay, Melissa noted, “I cannot imagine anything more important or emotionally moving than putting your life on the line for your country. That is why I believe that veterans who have served our nation are true heroes.” Melissa’s essay now goes to the Department of NJ competition, and should she win at the NJ State VFW level, her essay will go to the National VFW competition in Washington, D.C.
Post 5702 sponsors this contest each year. It is open to students in grades 6, 7, and 8 in Oakland and Franklin Lakes. Details relating to this contest can be found on Post 5702’s website (www.vfwpost5702.org). Interested parties should click on the VFW for Students button.