Win District 5 VFW contests

by John Fragodt, Monitor-News Staff
Two of Benson’s entries to the VFW District 5 writing contest placed very high.  In the Voice of Democracy Essay contest, BHS senior Jessica Mooberry (left) placed second in the district contest and received a cash prize of $100 along with a plaque from the Veterans of Foreign Wars District 5.  In the Patriot’s Pen Essay contest, sixth-grader Eric Hoium (right) placed first in the district contest and received a cash prize of $150 along with a plaque from the Veterans of Foreign Wars District 5. 
In addition, Eric’s essay has been forwarded to the Minnesota Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, to continue in the statewide competition.  Should his essay be judged best in the State of Minnesota, he will receive an award at that level and his essay would go on to national competition. 
“The judging by educators and community members was indeed difficult because of the high quality of entries,” Bob Jones (middle), VFW commander said.  “We are extremely happy with the two Benson students placing at district.”