The theme of both contests was “What Makes America Great.”

Post Chairman Roger Simonson said the Patriot’s Pen is for students in sixth through eighth grades. The Voice of Democracy is for ninth grade through 12th grade. Those students also have to submit a recording of themselves reading the essay.

Fort Dodge and area schools are invited to participate.

Students from Community Christian School in Fort Dodge locked in the top three places in the Patriot’s Pen.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Voice of Democracy Chairman Roger Simonson presents Jocelyn Timmerman, 17, of Fort Dodge with her first place award Wednesday afternoon at Fort Dodge VFW Post 1856.

First place winner Abby Cook, 14, an eighth-grader, said it’s two different things.

“I think it’s the freedom that we have,” she said. “Freedom to worship, freedom to speak and many more.”

She also cited America’s veterans.

“The military and the veterans here in America,” she said.

Levi Odor-Westrum, 13, a seventh-grader, wrote about the First Amendment.

“What makes religious freedom great to me is that I can live, act and speak publicly and not get persecuted or thrown in jail for my beliefs,” he said.

Emily Chichester, 13, also a seventh-grader, wrote about immigration.

“I think America is great because people from different countries are welcome here,” she said. “They (immigrants) come for a better life for themselves and their families.”

First place Voice of Democracy essay winner Jocelyn Timmerman, 17, a senior at St. Edmond Catholic School, began her essay with a quote from Robert A. Heinlein.

“You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don’t ever count on having both at once.”

She expanded on what the quote meant to her.

“The type of freedom that we enjoy does not come without dedication and determination,” she said. “We study history as students to gain an understanding that each freedom that has been achieved come through struggle and a willingness of those that serve to defend those freedoms.”

Mackenzie Camden, 15, a ninth-grader at Fort Dodge Senior High School, cited American equality.

“Regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality, everyone can have job opportunities and they are treated equal,” she said.

The winners in Fort Dodge will be entered in the district contest. The district winners will go onto the state competition and winners there go on to a national competition.

The top prize nationally is $5,000 plus an all expense paid trip to Washington D.C.