For immediate release

Melrose Public Schools
Superintendent Cyndy S. Taymore
360 Lynn Fells Parkway
Melrose , MA 02176

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Students Win Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest

MELROSE– Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School (MVMMS) Principal Brent Conway is pleased to announce that 10 students are recipients of the Patriot’s Pen Essay scholarship contest.

Ten Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students are recipients of the Patriot’s Pen Essay scholarship contest. Front row, left to right: Gio Bigord, Lilli Bonacorsi, Laney McCarthy, Jillian Bakey, Victor Mwangi. Back row, left to right: Olivia Frakt, Madeline Nerden, Randall Sullivan, Ruby Robicheau and Nathan Wright. (Courtesy Photo)

Every year, the Sgt. Harold O. Young VFW Post 2394 sponsors a scholarship contest, the Patriot’s Pen Essay, for students in grades six through eight.

This year, the theme was “The America I Believe in.” Students were required to submit an original work in their own words, without identifying themselves in the essay.

“What’s great about this contest is it gets students thinking about not only prevalent and relevant topics that they discuss in class and in every day life by interacting with our veteran community, but also about investing in their future as they work toward earning financial assistance for college,” Principal Conway said. “I want to congratulate our scholarship recipients and commend all students who took the time to think about and respond to this topic.”

Students submitted a 300 to 400 word essay on the topic on Nov. 1. Essays were judged on knowledge of the theme, theme development and clarity of ideas. Winners were announced on Dec. 9.

The top three winners of the contest received $50 from the VFW Post, with the remaining earning $25.