This year’s recipient of $100 and a certificate of recognition for first place in the Voice of Democracy contest is 12th grader Midori Nishida from Calvary Christian Academy who bested 54 other contestants in an audio recording competition.
Vivein Viernes from Marianas High School was awarded $75 for grabbing the second place while Savannah Delos Santos from Calvary Christian Academy received $50 for winning third place.
The Voice of Democracy contestants were asked to submit an audio recording to express their views about the theme “Is there pride in serving our military?”
Mary Grace Tiglao from Saipan Community School is this year’s first place winner for the Patriot’s Pen competition which was opened to middle school students who submitted essays voicing out their opinion on the theme “Are you proud of your country?”
Tiglao bested 40 other contestants and took home $100 and a certificate of recognition.
Second and third place winners for the Patriot’s Pen were Nesanne Mae Tam and Devonne Dotts, both from CCA who took home $75 and $50 and certificates of recognition.
Teacher awardee
Also presented an award by VFW Post 3457 commander Mariano Fajardo was Marianas Baptist Academy’s Paul Murphy who is this year’s recipient of the Citizenship Education Teacher Award.
Murphy, a teacher at the MBA for the past four years said that he had no idea until two weeks ago that he was nominated by students and co-teachers for the award. Murphy received a certificate of recognition and a cash prize.
Fajardo earlier said that selected members of the community have been judging the entries for all three competitions for the past 10 years.
Nishida and Tiglao will represent VFW Post 3457 in the same competition in the district level.
If they win, they will proceed to the department, state, and at the national levels. Up to $30,000 in scholarship grants is up for grabs for the Voice of Democracy national champion, while $10,000 is at stake for the Patriot’s Pen national winner.
