Voice of Democracy

VFW Susitna Post 9365 presents the 2023 Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen, And Teacher of the Year Winners.

Contributed by Adrian A. Hart Post Senior Vice Commander

VFW Susitna Post 9365 Commander Ryan Moe Presented Ms. Kristen Edwards, who attends Matsu Middle College, with the Post 2023 Voice of Democracy Award. She competed at the VFW Department of Alaska and placed third, outstanding job Kristan. The Voice of Democracy is an annual High School patriotic essay competition in which contestants are first judged at the Post level before moving on to the State level. The State winner will move on to be judged at a national level, where they can win a $35,000 scholarship. The State Winner also receives a trip to Valley Forge, where the Winner will tour the monument.

Mr. Mason Priebe, who attends Wasilla Middle School, was the  2023 Post's Patriot Pen Winner. The Patriot Pen is an annual middle school Patriotic essay contest where the national Winner will win a $5,000 scholarship.
For more information on VFW 9365 and its Auxillary youth program, please visit: https://vfw9365.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=126425

For the first time in recent memory, the VFW Susitna Post had Three Teacher of the Year winners in all three categories. This year's Winner was Mr. Peter Kanz, a United States Air Force veteran who teaches High School CTE at Redington Sr Jr/SR High School. He also coaches many different sports, further contributing to our youth. Mr. Stewart Hughes teaches Middle School Science at Redington Sr Jr/Sr High School, and he was also selected as the VFW Department of Alaska Middle School Teacher of the Year. Ms. Caroline Thaxton teaches Music at Knik Elementary School and was selected as the VFW Department of Alaska Elementary Teacher of the Year. In addition, she also hosts an annual Veteran's Day  Celebration at Knik Elementary School, teaching our youngest generation to honor veterans.

If you would like to honor an educator and nominate them for the next teacher of the year, please visit https://vfw9365.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=126426