Los Banos middle school students once again demonstrated their writing skill in the recent VFW “Patriot’s Pen” essay contest. Of the 700 essays submitted to the VFW District 9. which includes Los Banos, five were selected among the top 20 winners.
Patriot’s Pen, as the VFW website explains, gives sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students the opportunity to express their opinion on a patriotic theme and improve their writing skills, while they compete for awards and prizes.
Alicia Ortega of Los Banos Junor High School earned second place in the district. Emily Alvarez of LB Junior High was awarded ninth place, Yahir Plascencia of LB Junior High 11th place, Jimena Velasco of Lorena Falasco Elementary, 13th place and Ethan Sousa of Our Lady of Fatima School 18th place.
“Every year Los Banos students do well in this contest,” said John Lupini, the veteran who coordinates the contest for Los Banos Post 2487. “Once again, they shined.”
“This year, students from Los Banos Junior High did particularly well,” Lupini said. “Much of the credit goes to the school’s principal, Deo Brasil, and the teachers at the junior high for encouraging students to enter the contest and spend time and thought writing the essays.”
The VFW also sponsors an essay contest for high school students, “The Voice of Democracy.” This year a Los Banos student, Kathleen Capillas, a home-schooled student, finished fifth in the district.
The contest winners were announced at the Jan. 14 meeting of the Los Banos Veterans organization and district representatives were present to give certificates of recognition to the students.
Dr. Mark Marshall, Los Banos Unified School District Superintendent, and several other district educators also attended the veterans meeting to acknowledge the winning students.
