VFW auxiliary ‘Patriotic Pen’ winners announced

Submitted by Margie Heimerl
Lake Mary VFW Auxiliary
WINSTED, MN – Lake Mary VFW Auxiliary 9232 recently announced the winners of the Patriotic Pen contest it sponsored.
There were 39 essays received, with 14 from the sixth grade class at Holy Trinity Elementary School in Winsted, two from the seventh grade class at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Middle School, one from a seventh grade home-schooled student in Lester Prairie, and 22 from the sixth grade class at Lester Prairie Elementary School.
The first place winner is Matthew Bestul, son of Greg and Terri Bestul of Lester Prairie. Matthew’s prize was $20.
He is a seventh grader at HLWW Middle School. Matthew has an older sister, Kimberly, and a younger brother, Alex. Matthew’s grandparents are Lew and Marceil Buss of Lester Prairie, and Jim and Nancy Bestul of Shorewood.

Second place winner is Edison Hach Yellick, son of Craig and Heather Yellick of Lester Prairie. Edison’s prize was $15.
He is a sixth grader at Lester Prairie Elementary School. Edison has three older brothers, Alex, Winston, and Lincoln. Edison’s grandparents are Robert and Carol Hach of Lake Vermillion and Ft. Myers, FL, and Ralph and Carol Yellick of Green Bay, WI and Mesa, AZ.
Third place winner is Jaime Johnson, daughter of Clare and Pam Johnson of Winsted. Jaime’s prize was $10.
Jaime is a sixth grader at Holy Trinity Elementary School. She has a younger sister, Nicole. Jaime’s grandparents are Dave and Pauline Lundgren of Sheldon, WI, and the late Warner and Grace Johnson of Watertown.
Fourth place winner is Adam Stifter, son of Robin Weibel and Mike Stifter. Adam’s prize was $5.
Adam is a sixth grader at Holy Trinity Elementary School. He has two older brothers, Jesse and Jeremy Wemhoff. Adam’s grandparents are Duane and Jane Weibel of Waverly, and Gerard and Rosemary Stifter of Winsted.
The first, second, and third place winners advanced to the Second District to be judged.
All students that entered the contest were given certificates and a bookmarker with the US Presidents on one side and the Constitution on the other.
No entries were received for the Voice of Democracy contest.