Two local eighth graders entered into the Patriots Pen program and won scholarship money for writing what it means to them to live in the United States.

Eighth graders Maura Skelley and Andrea Scott were entered into the Patriot Pen program along with the rest of Andrew Danish’s Renzulli class.  The Patriot Pen Program is a contest among sixth, seventh and eighth graders across the nation.  They were to explain in an essay what living in the United States means to them.  The contest is open to every sixth, seventh and eighth graders enrolled in public, private parochial high school or home study programs.

The prizes were based on placement:

1st- $5000

2nd- $4000

3rd- $3500

4th- $2750

5th- $2500

6th-$2000

7th- $1750

8th & 9th- $1500

10th & 11th- $1250

12th & 13th- $1000

14th & 15th- $750

16th – 46th – $500

The contest consists of 4 levels: entry , regional, state and national.  It is sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars(VFW).  The winner’s of the contest receive  a certain amount of money dependent on where they were placed.  Skelley came in first place locally and then again at state level.  Scott came in third place locally.

   Working Students!  Two students, Maura Skelley and Andrea Scott, with their teacher Andrew Danish in American Culture.  These were the winners of the writing contest he entered them in.  Photo by Jacob Hord