Several students at Twin Valley Bible Academy (TVBA) in Narvon were recently honored in the annual essay contests sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Taking place during the fall semester, the contests were open to students in public, private, parochial and home schools in the United States. Essays had to be original and written in English, and the judges, most of whom are veterans, evaluated the submissions based on originality, content and oral delivery.

Students from TVBA submitted essays to local VFW posts in the Voice of Democracy essay contest, for students in grades nine through 12, and the Patriot's Pen contest, for students in grades six through eight.

In the local contests sponsored by the Lititz VFW Post, Noah Mellinger won first place in the Patriot's Pen contest, and Kyla Stauffer was the third-place Voice of Democracy winner. Kathy Wiker and Kathy McCullough from the VFW post visited TVBA to present the awards.

The winners chosen by Gap VFW Post 7418 are Riley LeBon, receiving first place in the Patriot's Pen contest; Anna Philips, first place, Voice of Democracy; and Eli Philips, second place, Voice of Democracy. Letters were sent to the academy and the students notifying them of the results.

The winners chosen by the Parkesburg VFW Post are Elizabeth Mocuta, winning first place for Patriot's Pen, and Alyssa Broomell, winning first place for Voice of Democracy. The winners and their school were notified by mail.

At TVBA, English teacher Candace Barnes guided contest entrants as they sought to organize their ideas, develop their theme, write expressively and effectively, and deliver their essay orally. Students also were aided by material covered in history and government, taught by school principal Nathan Mellinger.

For more information about Twin Valley Bible Academy, call the office at 610-286-6646 or visit http://www.twinvalleybibleacademy.org/admissions.