BELLE — The Nov. 8 Veterans Day ceremony at Bland Middle School (BMS) and Belle High School (BHS) recognized area servicemen for giving years of their lives to the armed forces. Belle VFW Post 3410, under Post Commander Terry Conners, presented the colors and named winners of its middle and high school scholarship contests.

The Patriot’s Pen contest encourages young minds in sixth through eighth grades to examine America’s history and modern society. The Patriot’s Pen contest required students to draft a 300 to 400-word essay around this year’s theme: “What is “MyVoice in America’s Democracy?” Winners have a chance to win $5,000 in the national competition.

At BMS on Friday morning, Quartermaster Diane James named the winners of the Patriot’s Pen essay contest, including: Lacy Wommoel, seventh grade, with the first place prize of a $150 check and a medal; Kali Mayfield-Bayhylie, sixth grade, took second place and received $100 and a medal; and third place winner Annastyn Newton, sixth grade, received $75 and a medal. BMS sixth grade teacher Denise Edwards received the Patriotic Teacher award.

Voice of Democracy is an audio essay where participants in ninth through 12th grades were asked for a typed and recorded original work, sharing their thoughts in a democratic and patriot-themed essay. This year’s Voice of Democracy theme was: “Is America today our forefathers’ vision?” The winner has a chance to win $35,000 at nationals.

At BHS on Friday afternoon, James named the first, second and third place winners of the Voice of Democracy winners: Savannah Ford, tenth grade, took first place and received $200 with a medal; second place was Noah Jones who received $150 and medal’ and third place was Shyley Wise who received $75 and a medal. The BHS Patriotic Teacher award went to music teacher Kerri Chafin, who was in charge of BMS band and choir, the BHS band and Belle Elementary School class songs during the event.

“Students who participate in the essay contests have the chance to win a $35,000 scholarship,” James told the high school crowd. “Last year we made it to the state competition. Belle VFW Post 3410 was recognized as an All-American Post for its membership and the things we do for our community. There are 23 or 24 All-State Posts.”

James said eight students at BMS and 10 students from BHS submitted essays.