HAMPDEN – Hampden Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4633 and its Auxiliary held their annual recognition and awards night March 9 for area students who placed in the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest.

All of the Voice of Democracy winners were from Hermon High School. First place went to Jordan Lorenz who received $100. Second place went to James McGowan, $75; and third place went to Greg Winningham, $50.

During the ceremony, Lorenz read his essay, “How I Honor America’s Veterans.” His essay went on to place third with the Department of Maine Voice of Democracy Essay Contest.

Patriot’s Pen student winners were from the Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden and Samuel Wagner Middle School in Winterport.

Reeds Brook winners were: John Bjorn, first place, $75; Conner Graham, second place, $50; and Kelly Hiller, third place, $25.

Wagner School winners were Alec Hickman, first place, $75; Andrya Ryan, second place, $50; and Kayla Grover, third place, $25.

John Bjorn and Alec Hickman read their essays, “Why I Am An American Patriot.”