Students at Memorial Middle School (MMS) in Middlebury and Rochambeau Middle School (RMS) in Southbury proudly participated in the annual Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest, a nationwide program sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and locally by George Newton VFW Post 1607.

The Patriot’s Pen Competition provides middle school students with the opportunity to express their perspectives on an annual patriotic theme through essay writing, encouraging reflection on civic responsibility, service, and American values.

From Memorial Middle School, 26 student essays were selected as local winners in the VFW Post 1607 Patriot’s Pen Contest. The top five essays were written by Danielle Ajayi (1st place), Jameson Fox (2nd place), RJ Tolles (3rd place), Julia Dzwonchyk (4th place), and Patrick Flaherty (5th place).

Standing in the Back Row: Mrs. Cassidy (Organizer), Dorothy Park, Alexander Batista, CJ Zold, Mr. Steve Masse (VFW Post 1607, Mr. Ken Korsu (VFW Post 1607 Commander), Mr. Peter D’Amato (VFW Post 1607), Nia Jordan, Adrianna Carballo, and Kaylee Soto. Sitting on the bench: Patrick Flaherty (5th), RJ Tolles (3rd), Danielle Ajayi (1st), Julia Dzwonchyk (4th), and Jameson Fox (2nd) Kneeling: Camryn Arsenault, Julia Parkhurst, Sarah Keeney, Anjali Dodia, Charlotte Mulhall, Mia Rizk, Bowen Headrick, Abigail Moissonnier, and Harper DiDomenico Front Row:  Nathaniel Remillard, Robert Lyons, Narayan Teixeira, Oliver Cusano, and Buster Keenaghan Not Pictured: Bradan Beekey

From Rochambeau Middle School, students were also recognized as local winners by VFW Post 1607, with Evelyn Lamoureux earning 1st place, followed by Elizabeth Valencia (2nd place), Maddie Colasanto (3rd place), and Dhruv Dave (4th place).

 

Mr. Ken Korso VFW Post Commander, Dhruv Dave, Evelyn Lamoureux, Elizabeth Valencia, Maddie Colasanto, Mr. Michael J. Bernardi, Principal Rochambeau Middle School.  

Top-selected essays from both schools have advanced and are now under consideration at the VFW District 2 level.The students’ submissions reflected thoughtful engagement with the contest theme and a strong understanding of civic values.

The Patriot’s Pen contest is open to students in grades 6–8. For the 2025–2026 competition year, the theme is “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” Students are invited to submit a 300–400-word typed essayto their local VFW Post. Participants are eligible for recognition at the Post, District, State, and National levels, with the top national award valued at $5,000.

Through participation in Patriot’s Pen, Region 15 students are encouraged to examine America’s history, reflect on their own experiences, and give voice to their understanding of patriotism in today’s world.

The Patriot’s Pen program at the middle schools is led by Memorial Middle School social studies teachers Mr. Karl Buckley, Mrs. LeAnn Cassidy, Mrs. Pataky, and Mr. Walsh, and coordinated at Rochambeau Middle School by Mr. Sonny SanAngelo.