Port Jervis High School & Middle School students awarded by Port Jervis VFW Post#7241 Tri-States Naval Ship

sharonsiegel1954
2 hours ago
2 min read

by Sharon E. Siegel

PORT JERVIS, NY -- Tri-States Naval Ship VFW Post #7241 hosted its annual awards presentation for six winning student patriotic essays. (Photos and essays below.)

Fabrizzio Morejon, Captain of Post #7241, congratulated all of the students for their insightful essays and patriotism. He said patriotism begins with each and every single person.

“Despite any differences that people may have, we should know that we have one thing in common -- knowing that this country is the greatest country on the face of the Earth,” Morejon told the students and their families in opening remarks.

Each of the students read their award-winning essay, and a full course roast beef dinner prepared by the post members and auxiliary was served.

The 2025-26 theme was “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”

Two age levels and categories were awarded, Voice of Democracy for High School students and Patriot's Pen for Middle School students.

Port Jervis High School Voice of Democracy essay winners were: 1^st Place Ava Mills (11^th Grade), 2^nd Place Gianna DiGiantommaso (11^th Grade), 3^rd Place Bella Cartagena (11^th Grade).

Voice of Democracy: Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy® audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, more than 26,400 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.4 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.

Port Jervis Middle School Patriot's Pen essay winners were: 1^st Place Isabelle Fedorick (8^th Grade), Alaina Sweeney (8^th Grade), Braelynn Koser (7^th Grade).

Patriot’s Pen: Each year, more than 60,600 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen® annual youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000! The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.

Patriot's Pen Essays and Winners

1^st Place Isabelle Fedorick (8^th Grade)