VFW Post 1638 recognizes local students for patriotism, creativity

Local students were recently recognized by the Schmitt-Manecke-Donner VFW Post 1638 and Auxiliary for their outstanding achievements in patriotic writing and art contests during the 2024–2025 school year.
The annual Youth Awards Celebration, held at the Northwoods Veteran’s Post, honored participants in national VFW programs including Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen, Young American Creative Patriotic Art, and Illustrating America. More than $2,900 in scholarships and prizes were awarded to students from area schools who demonstrated exceptional creativity, patriotism, and academic excellence.

In the Voice of Democracy audio essay contest for high school students, the theme was “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?” Winners were:
• 1st Place – Kylie Lutzke, Merrill High School
• 2nd Place – Jazlin Severt, Merrill High School

• 3rd Place – Olivia Barker, Merrill High School
• 4th Place – Keeley Benedict, Merrill High School
• 5th Place – Elizabeth Herdt, Merrill High School

In the Patriot’s Pen essay contest for middle school students, themed “My Voice in America’s Democracy,” awards went to:
• 1st Place – Kyle Yingling, Prairie River Middle School

• 2nd Place – Celina Rivera, Trinity Lutheran School
• 3rd Place – Fiona Giese, St. Francis Catholic School
• 4th–10th Place – Madee Barker, Alex Shimel, Adeline Huth, Abigail Rell, Rebekah Hagemeister, Sophia Wendt, and Mariah Dupke

The Young American Creative Patriotic Art contest for high school students included both 2D and 3D categories. Winners were:
• 2D Art – 1st Place – Maria Ashbrenner, Merrill High School

• 2D Art – 2nd Place – Rose Dornbrack, Merrill High School
• 2D Art – 3rd Place – Kylie Lutzke, Merrill High School
• 3D Art – 1st Place – Olivia Barker, Merrill High School
• 3D Art – 2nd Place – Areianna Beyer, NTC Christian Academy

In the Illustrating America contest, younger students submitted patriotic-themed visual artwork by grade level:

Kindergarten–2nd Grade:
• Ariana Lutzke, Maple Grove Charter School
• Penley Nelmark, NTC Christian Academy
3rd–5th Grade:
• Aubrey Schenck, Washington Elementary
• Riley Schram, Washington Elementary
• Adelyn Forster, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School
6th–8th Grade:
• Aubree Grund, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School
• Daven Saeger, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School

Post Commander Corey Dornbrack and Auxiliary President Denni Radloff commended the students for their work. “Our youth programs are about encouraging young voices, creativity, and civic pride,” Dornbrack said. “We are proud to support and recognize the next generation of leaders.”
The ceremony also paid tribute to Russ Iwen, a Vietnam Marine Corps veteran whose long-standing support of youth programming left a lasting impact on the Merrill community.
VFW Post 1638 and its Auxiliary expressed gratitude to families, educators, sponsors, and community members who continue to support local youth through these programs.