WINNING SPEECHES in the Voice of Democracy speech contest were submitted by students from Fairfield, Teague and Wortham. They are: front, l-r, Chelsea Bachtel of Teague, second place; and Ambrosia Hagler of Fairfield, third place. Pictured in back are, l-r, Chandler Baggerly of Teague, first place; Torian Schauwecker of Fairfield, second place; and Kimberly Ward of Fairfield, first place. Not pictured is Amber Reece of Wortham, first place; Kathleen Chappell of Fairfield, fourth place; Cory Black of Fairfield, fifth place; and Samantha Wemple of Fairfield, sixth place. Students from Fairfield, Teague and Wortham participated in the Patriot's Pen essay contest and Voice of Democracy speech contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5872.

The students who placed in the contest were honored at a banquet hosted by the Fairfield VFW last Friday.

The Voice of Democracy Program is designed to foster patriotism in high school students by providing them with an opportunity to voice their opinion about their personal obligations as an American and their responsibility to our country.

WINNING ESSAYS in the Patriot's Pen essay contest were submitted by: front l-r, Michael Anderson of Wortham, third place; Leah Butler of Wortham, first place; Emily Walker of Teague, first place; and Lydia Torres of Teague, third place. Pictured in back are: l-r, Kendell Emmons of Fairfield, second place; Jaclyn Black of Wortham, second place; Kyera Abram of Teague, second place; and Kyle Meredith of Fairfield, first place. The theme for this year's essay contest was: "How Service and Sacrifice by America's Veterans Benefit Today's Youth."

From Fairfield, essay winners include Kimberly Ward, first place; Torian Schauwecker, second place; Ambrosia Hagler, third place; Kathleen Chappell, fourth place; Cory Black, fifth place; and Samantha Wemple, sixth place.

In Teague, the winning essays were submitted by Chandler Baggerly, first place; and Chelsea Bachtel, second place. Placing first from Wortham was essay winner Amber Reece.

Presenting the Voice of Democracy Awards was Patricia Robinson.

TEAGUE TEACHER Doris Smith was honored as "Teacher of the Year" during a banquet at the Fairfield VFW. Mrs. Smith teaches eighth grade English. The Patriot's Pen program is open to students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades and the essay theme for the 2008-09 contest was "Why America's Veterans Should Be Honored."

Fairfield honorees included: Kyle Meredith, first place; and Kendell Emmons, second place. In Teague and Wortham three winners were chosen from each school.

From Teague, they were Emily Walker, first place; Kyera Abram, second place; and Lydia Torres, third place; and from Wortham, Leah Butler, first place; Jaclyn Black, second place; and Michael Anderson, third place.

Winners of the Patriot's Pen were presented with their awards by Patriotic Pen Chairman Don Beene.

The VFW also honored Teague teacher Doris Smith by presenting her with the "Teacher of the Year" award. Mrs. Smith teaches eighth grade English.

Other civic honors for outstanding service included "Officer of the Year" which was given to Assistant Chief of Police, Houston Flowers who retires this week after 33 years of service.

Andrew Baxter and Matt Foree were named "Firemen of the Year" and "County Deputy of the Year" went to Suzanne Thomas.