Three Los Banos student writers were honored at the monthly Los Banos Veterans breakfast meeting Jan. 13: Sarah Sowersby, Los Banos High School student, winner in the Voice of America contest; Athzyry Tovar-Mendoza, Los Banos Junior High School student winner in the Patriot’s Pen essay contest; and Lucy Contreras, Our Lady of Fatima school winner in the Patriot’s Pen essay contest.
Los Banos VFW Post 2484 Commander Mike Hughes expressed his appreciation for the winners.
“These three young ladies represent the best in our young people today,” Hughes said. “All Los Banos Veterans are proud of them.”
Hughes also thanked the six Los Banos schools that participated in the contest for their interest, with special thanks for Los Banos Junior High School, Lorena Falasco Elementary School and Our Lady of Fatima School. “These schools year in and year out send us many essays from their schools for our annual contest.
“The fact that Los Banos were winners in a district that stretches all the way to Bakersfield is a real accomplishment,” Hughes added. “I think that’s a testimonial to our local schools,” Hughes said. “Our schools are sometimes criticized, but they should be congratulated and celebrated for turning out students like Sarah, Athzyry and Lucy.”
John Lupini, the veteran who coordinated the Patriot Pen Essay contest in Los Banos, appreciated the response to this year’s contest by Los Banos schools. “We received more than 70 essays this year. Reading through all of them and identifying the top writers to send on to the District took some time, but it was worth it.”
