KELLOGG — Kellogg High School seniors took a stab at answering the question, "What are the greatest attributes of our democracy?" as part of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy competition, each submitting a typed essay with an audio component.

Chris Marker, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1675 in Osburn, said the national contest, run by local VFWs, is intended to be a departure from patriotic talking points and instead educate students by asking them to research and support their arguments.

“It’s not ‘red, white and blue,’ and you’ve got to write it this way, it’s who writes it the best and conveys their message,” Marker said. 

Kellogg senior Zoe Brooks took what began as a straightforward homework assignment from her government class as a chance to learn how the system is built to allow citizens to indicate support or dissent depending on laws or rulings handed down by the branches of government. 

“I really focused on the First Amendment, which is the freedom of speech, religion and the press, assembly and petition because that’s really something that every citizen has the right to. The freedom of speech and petition is that you are able to say what you think about the government and what you think should change. You’re able to protest in order to make your government the way you want it to be run,” Brooks said.

As she approaches turning 18 and being able to participate as an adult, Brooks said it’s a great time to learn about her role as a citizen.

“Now that I’m going to be moving on to the real world, it was really important to get that information about voting and stuff like that,” Brooks said.

Brooks’ essay placed first locally and went on to place third in the districtwide competition, encompassing VFWs in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry and Spirit Lake as well as the Osburn VFW. Students who won receive $250 at the local level and winners at the higher levels receive additional prize money. 

“It was cool to feel that older people with more experience than me felt the same way about our government and everything. These people who served for our country got to see what people in the younger generations thought about the country they defended,” Brooks said.

Kellogg High School students Kasen Carver placed second and Madison Cheney and Aaliyah Low tied for third place at the local level.

Kellogg English teacher Kelton Enich was awarded VFW Teacher of the Year for modeling good citizenship for students, promoting innovation, connecting students to exciting or helpful resources and sharing a passion for teaching.

In the Patriot's Pen essay contest, Kellogg sixth graders Natalie Willis and Lael Bird placed first and second, respectively. Their essay topic was, "How are you inspired by America?"

Willis gained a lot of confidence after coming in first in the competition, and her mother, Holly Willis, said the experience has whet her appetite to achieve more.

“She loves to read and write. She didn’t think she was going to win, but now she’s going to try for all the writing contests,” Holly Willis said.

Marker said the competition had been paused for about two decades before it was reintroduced four years ago. He’s proud of the efforts of the Shoshone County youth taking part.

“It’s a pretty patriotic community as it is. I’m just glad that [the competition] hasn’t gone away,” Marker said.

    Zoe Brooks is presented a local first place award for her Voice of Democracy essay by Osburn VFW commander Chris Marker.
  

    Natalie Willis is presented a local first place award for her Patriot's Pen essay by Osburn VFW commander Chris Marker.
  

    The Osburn VFW presented Kellogg English teacher Kelton Enich with their Teacher of the Year award for modeling good citizenship for students, promoting innovation, connecting students to exciting or helpful resources, and sharing a passion for teaching.