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Three seventh grade students from North Branch Area Middle School received recognition for their entries in the Patriot's Pen essay contest, sponsored by the North Branch Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary.

Conducted nationwide, this VFW sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy with the prospect of winning U.S. savings bonds. More than 120,000 students nationwide participated last year in this contest.

The theme for this year's essay contest was "When Is The Right Time To Honor Our Military Heroes?" The first place winner, Kelsey Laffin, will be attending a regional winner award ceremony in January and her essay will be submitted for the next level of competition against other local winners. Geography teacher Lori Blomquist oversees this opportunity for district students.

1st place: Kelsey Laffin - $100 Savings Bond.

2nd place: Dekotah Miska - $50 Savings Bond.

3rd place: Makenzie Dirkx - $15 cash.

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