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Volume 44 Nuraberl4 IpM 14* ao, 2006 50 CENTS
VFW Hosts Voice of Democracy & Patriots Pen
Youth Essay Awards Ceremony
On April 3. 2006. the John F.
Kennedy Middle School hosted the
Annual Voice of Democracy &
Patriots Pen Youth Essay Awards
presentation. The National
Association of Broadcasters started
ihis program back in 1946, and
today the Butehorn Brothers Post
4987 proudly sponsors it. For many
years this competition has chal­lenged
students to not only put their
writing skills to the test but also
invites students to share their ideas
about patriotism and Americanism.
VFW Commander Frances
Meehan presided over the evening's
presentations as winners from
Bethpage High School, JFK Middle
School, Kramer Lane, Charles
Campagne, and Central Boulevard
received citations commending their
efforts as well as VOD medals.
Fleeted officials from the Town of
Oyster Bay and Nassau County
were also on hand to congratulate
the winning essay writers. Also
present wa: Sergeant Alfonso
Nelson who offered the keynote
speech about what America means
to us all and how important this
contest is in recognizing the efforts
ol not only those that fought for
their country but also the students
and teachers who recognize and
choose to write about their sacri­fices.
"The administrators, teachers
and students are all so wonderful
and supportive of this program each
and every year. We all appreciate
their dedication and thank them for
all o1 their help." said Commander
Median.
Winning students included
Bcthpai^e High School
Maria Karsonis, Vera Fichtelberg
Rachel (ireenblatl
j i' t\ \Ihidk* School
Danielle Koenig, James Tancora
Stephanie Yeu
Kramer Lane
loan Petruzzi, Brittany Bungert
Ashley Ambrico
Central Boulevard
Justin Sabella, Stephen Faiella
Katherine Comerford
Charles Campagne
Courtney Radcliffe, Nisha Shah
Christopher Vol berg
Students from John H. West
School Eastplain School and
Lockhard School were also recog­nized
for their efforts.
In addition to recognizing the
accomplishments of these local stu­dents,
the Butehorn Brothers also
presented 6 m grade teacher Monica
Klein with the prestigious Teacher
of the Year Award. Each year Mrs.
Klein dedicates an entire da\ to the
VFW in remembrance of Veteran's
Day. Veterans are asked to come
into each and every one of her
social studies classes and share
their experiences with the students.
Mrs. Klein's program has proven to
be a wonderful tool in allowing stu­dents
to understand the important
role that Veterans have had in shap­ing
our Nation and is a way of
making sure that their sacrifices and
dedication will never be forgotten.
"Mrs. Klein has been a dear friend
to our organization and to all
Veterans and she is truly deserving
of this award. She is a wonderful
teacher," stated Past Commander
Bud Steubing. JFK Middle School
Principal. Kerri McCarthy also
received a commemorative plaque
for her support and assistance in
hosting this event at the JFK. After
the presentations everyone was
invited to the cafeteria for cookies
and refreshments. Special" thanks to
the wives of all of the VFW mem­bers
who provided and served the
refreshments.
The Butehorn Brothers Post
4987 should be commended for all
of the effort that they put forth in
sponsoring and organizing this
event, as too should all of the stu­dent
writers who participated in this
year's contest. "For those who
fought for it, freedom has a flavor
the protected will never know."
(Continued on page 14)
VFW Commander Frances Meehan, Sgt. Major Nelson Ildefonso, Legislator Ed
Mangano, Councilman Anthony Macagnone and Councilwoman Rose Walker pose
with BHS winners Maria Karsonis, Vera Fichtelberg and Rachel Greenblatt.
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Legislator Ed Mangano, Teacher of the Year Monica Klein, Councilwoman Rose
Walker, JFK Middle School Principal Kerri McCarthy and Councilman Anthony
Macagnone.
CBS winners Justin Sabella, Stephen Faiella and Katherine Comerford pose with
Sgt. Major Nelson Ildelfonso(lert) Legislator Mangano, Councilpersons Macagnone
and Walker and Commander Meehan (right) after receiving their awards.
Kramer Lane students Evan Petruzzi, Brittany Bungert and Ashley Ambrico all
received medals as well as certificates of merit for their winning essays.