By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–While acknowledging the past, three Union City Middle School students made a promise for the future.
And it paid off.
UC Middle Schoolers Kylie Willcutt, Uriah Davis and Madi Pate swept the top three places in the Patriot’s Penn Essay Contest, earning cash and other accolades for their efforts.
Members of Allison Kail’s 8th Grade Advanced ELA class, the trio presented their winning efforts to the local VFW recently, following the 2022 theme “Our Pledge to our Veterans” guidelines.
Willcutt claimed first on the county level, while Davis was second and Pate the third-place finisher.
Each advanced to the District 9 competition, where Pate came in second to add to her winnings.
Collectively, the three young ladies said their efforts centered not only on acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices of veterans but also pledging to remember them moving forward.
“I was impressed by not only the quality of all the students’ work but also for the appreciation for our veterans’ services that was revealed in their essays,” Kail said of the class project. “And I am so proud of these three for placing in the county and district levels.”
There were several entries from other area schools in the contest, which required entries to range from 300-400 words.
The Veterans of Foreign War Post 4862 sponsored the competition that was open to those in grades 6-8.
The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society. It annually attracts more than 100,000 entries from youths each year.
Winners received medals and certificates in addition to cash prizes.