Students recognized in Voice of Democracy contest
West Chicago Community High School students who participated in the annual Voice of Democracy competition were awarded nearly $3,000 in prize money by West Chicago VFW Post 6791 and Auxiliary.
Sixty-seven students from West Chicago Community High School entered the contest, which is designed to foster patriotism and allow students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three-to-five minute recorded essay based on an annual theme. This year's theme was "My Vision for America."
Five West Chicago Community High School students advanced to the Voice of Democracy district competition: senior Rahul Prabhu of Carol Stream; and senior Ashlyn Bennet, senior Ethan Cuka, sophomore Sebastian Cuka, and junior Maxwell Smith of West Chicago.
Other participants were from Carol Stream: Jason Arendt, Sheryl Aykara, Azucena Gonzalez, Jason Gosbeth, Mackenzie Heisner, Clifford Kim, Charlie Kubinski, Gina Maggiore, Hunter McComb, Lily Michaels, Travis Nguyen, Jennifer Phan, Mike Sawicki, Alena Troia, and Victoria Walas; from West Chicago: Bianca Antonio, Angelina Ayala, Jacob Beaird, Raynne Belingon, Mayelian Beltran, Christopher Bibbs, Antonio Calderon, Victoria Cantu, Hector Cervantes, Cesar Cholula, Cameron Cieslak, Jacob Cole, Nataly Correa, Leslie Cortes, Vanessa Delgado-Perez, Emma Gaggioli, Miguel Garcia, Alyssa Gianforte, William Gill, Vanessa Hasbun, Sameera Hussain, Marquise Johnson, Skylar Kenneally, Sarah Krysinski, Tyler LaBarre, Cuyler Martin, Jesus Martinez, Emma McCarthy, Michelle Nguyen, Anna Nolazco, Raj Patel, Roshan Patel, Jacob Pettigrew, Sydney Pohl, Ulises Reyes, Raymond Rios, Guadalupe Valenzuela, Sarah Venen, Kendra Whelan, Justin Yackey, and Juan Zuniga; and from Winfield: Kevin Buh, Robert Draughon, John Gillespie, Kyle Gravit, Dominique Slivinski and Hannah Watson.
Mary Ellen Daneels, an American government teacher at West Chicago Community High School, serves as a liaison to Post 6791 and coordinates the Voice of Democracy contest.
"Post 6791 has always been generous in their support of scholarship and service at WCCHS," Daneels said. "The men and women of VFW Post 6791 are exemplary role models to WCCHS students. They demonstrate how service to one's community is not just a one-time event, but a habit of the heart. They have sacrificed so much to secure our freedoms and they continue to give."
Over the years, in addition to sponsoring the annual Voice of Democracy contest, VFW Post 6791 has sponsored an annual scholarship for seniors at WCCHS who plan to further their education.