JAY — Denise Acritelli, a Spruce Mountain Middle School teacher was recognized Sunday, Jan. 28, for being named Maine’s VFW Teacher of the Year.

“We believe that it takes a special person to have a successful patriotism program in our community,” Jim Manter, judge advocate and co-chair of the program committee, said. “That ideal person must not only engage our students in patriotic topics and excel at the professional level, but also reach out and engage in the community as well.”

Last November Acritelli was recognized as teacher of the year by VFW Post 3335 in Jay, then won for District 9 which includes the Jay post, Manter, noted. At the state level, she was first named Middle School Teacher of the Year after which she was judged alongside winners at the elementary and high school levels and deemed the overall winner, Manter said.

In Maine there are 44 VFW posts divided into 11 districts, Manter stated. District 9 includes posts in Auburn, Jay, Rumford and South Paris, he said.

Each fall, Acritelli includes a two-week session on patriotism in her curriculum using books, movies, documentaries, articles, etc. to support the topic, according to information in the application VFW Post 3335 submitted. “She exposes her students to the roles veterans play in our democracy and freedoms, and the sacrifices they make,” it noted.

At the end of the session, Acritelli shares information about the annual VFW Patriots Pen Essay contest and encourages her students to participate, the application noted. “Denise has been doing this now for 22 years,” it stated. “Her students have submitted a phenomenal 680 Patriot Pen essays to the local VFW Post.”

The application noted her sense of patriotism and community is not limited to students. She is a volunteer and commissioner with the local Area Youth Sports program, was the lead in establishing “Sunshine Fund’ which supports local colleagues in difficult times, assisted students with the creation of a food pantry at her school and was involved with the creation of a free store – which provides free clothing and items for students in need – within Regional School Unit 73, it indicated.

Acritelli started out as one of 6,000 VFW Teacher of the Year nominees, Manter noted. “She is now one of 53,” he stated.

Each year VFW sponsors a patriotism program that draws over 70,000 participants and awards more than $1.5 million, Manter said.

The Patriot’s Pen essay contest is open to those in grades six through eight, Kim Cote, VFW Post 3335 auxiliary chair for the program, noted. The theme this year was “How am I inspired by America” with essays judged on knowledge of theme, theme development and clarity of ideas, she explained.

Voice of Democracy is open to high school students where students share their thoughts orally, Cote said. “What are the greatest attributes of our democracy?” was the theme and entries were judged on originality, content, and delivery, she stated. “Winning department level includes an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. and a $30,000 scholarship if selected as the national winner,” she added.

Acritelli’s students submitted 28 Patriot’s Pen essays this year, with some being sent to other posts in District 9 as there were no applicants there, he noted in November.

Spruce Mountain Middle School essay winners included:

• Madelyn Rowley representing the Rumford post.

• Melody Hubble representing the South Paris post.

• Jailinn Fortin, third place representing the Jay post.

• Avery Cook, second place representing the Jay post.

• Landyn Anthony, first place representing the Jay post and District 9.

In the Voice of Democracy contest, Lewiston High School student Aisha Ibrahim represented VFW Post 3335 in Jay. She was also selected as the District 9 winner.

 

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