AUBURN – The Captain Frank W. Hulett Post 1603, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., recently hosted the District 9 annual youth awards presentation at the home at 588 Minot Ave.

The winners in the Voice of Democracy script-writing contest were: first, Steven W. Penney, a senior at Mountain Valley High School of Rumford, sponsored by the Rumford VFW Post 1641; second, Donald J. Linscott, home-schooled and sponsored by Auburn VFW Post 1603; third, Ian C. Wilcox of Livermore Falls, sponsored by Jay VFW Post 3335.

High school students in the 11 districts competed with the theme of “My Role in Honoring America’s Veterans.”

The winners in the Patriot’s Pen essay competition were: first, Amanda Bennett, Lewiston Middle School, sponsored by Lewiston VFW Post 9150; second, Jill R. Jacobs, Oxford Hill Middle School, sponsored by South Paris VFW Post 9787; and third, Julian R. Pierce, Oxford Hill Middle School, sponsored by South Paris VFW Post 9787.

Students in the sixth through eighth grades in the 11 districts competed with the theme of “Why I am an American Patriot.”

All winners were presented cash awards, certificates, and the VOD winners were also presented with VFW-VOD medals.