Left to right: Shaylen Bailey, Middle School communication arts teacher; Tyler Carlyle, first place essay winner, son of Jeff and Angie Carlyle, Vandalia; Makenna Hall, second place winner, daughter of Jason and Erica Hall, Vandalia; Victoria Shaw, president of the VFW Auxiliary; and Joy Davis, secretary of the VFW Auxiliary and chair of the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest Committee.Tyler and Makenna are eighth grade students in Bailey's communication arts classes at Van-Far. The topic of their essays was "My Voice in America's Democracy". They received certificates and cash awards. Photo Credit: Submitted photo
