Earlier this month, the 2021-2022 Voice of Democracy (VOD) and Patriot’s Pen Banquet was held at the Lempke-Blackwell VFW Post 7573 in New Baltimore, Michigan.

VFW Post 334 was given the honor of having their Patriot’s Pen candidate, Rebecca Wang from Van Hoosen Middle School, win first place.

The theme for this year’s Patriot’s Pen Essay competition was “How can I be a Good American.”

At the event, Wang read her essay and received a standing ovation from the audience. Her next stop is the Department of Michigan for the 434d Annual Mid-Winter Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Jan. 27-30 where she will compete against other District winners from across the state.