Poster and Essay Contest

Essay winner Lindsey Arruda of Somerset, MA. Photo Kieth Mellnick

Paralyzed Veterans of America announces the winners of the 11th Annual National Veterans Day Poster and Essay contest

Summary: Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) launched this contest as a way to creatively and actively involve America’s youth in the celebration of Veterans Day.  We are proud to report that we received more than 800 poster and essay entries expressing this year’s theme, “What Can I Learn From A Veteran.”

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS:

Grand Prize Poster Winner

Maria Gonzalez Ibar, Patrick Henry Elementary School, Arlington, VA

Poster contest winner Maria Gonzalez Ibar of Arlington, VA. Photo Kieth Mellnick

Grand Prize Essay Winner

Lindsey Arruda, Somerset Middle School, Somerset, MA

CATEGORY WINNERS:

Poster Category Winner 1^st–2^nd Grade

Rylan Smith-Yonts, Barrow Elementary School, Columbia, TX

Poster Category Winner 3^rd–4^th Grade

Jalen Nelson, St. Angela School, Chicago, IL

Essay Category Winner 5^th–6^th Grade

Michelle Binder, Christ the Divine Teacher School, Latrobe, PA

Essay Category Winner 7^th–8^th Grade

Kyle McCormick, South Park Middle School, South Park, PA

1^st–2^nd Grade Poster Finalists:

• Camryn Matta, Pittsburgh West Liberty, Pittsburgh, PA
• Ellis Giese, Frances E. Norton Elementary School, Allen, TX
• Isabel R. Alario, Holy Rosary Catholic School, La Rose, LA
• Ally Hughes,Frances E. Norton Elementary School, Allen, TX
• Te ‘ Mar Carlisle, Pittsburgh West Liberty, Pittsburgh, PA
• Pavel Prots, Lister Elementary School, Tacoma, WA
• Liliana Garza, Brooks at Estrella Academy,San Antonio, TX
• Jason Koerbel Jr., Pittsburgh West Liberty, Pittsburgh, PA
• Genaro Valadez III, Brooks Estrella Academy, San Antonio, TX
• Kaiden Angelette, Holy Rosary Catholic School, Larose, LA

3^rd–4^th Grade Poster Finalists:

• Grace M. Canales, Luther Jones Elementary, Corpus Christi, TX
• Kritika Rai, Patrick Henry Elementary, Arlington, VA
• Maribelle Chu, White Oaks Elementary, Burke, VA
• Connor Miller, White Oaks Elementary, Burke, VA
• Jenna Lang, St. Bernard School, Pittsburgh, PA
• Nina Lien Nguyen, Frances E. Norton Elementary, Allen, TX
• Philip Bernsdorff, St. Joseph School, Verona, PA
• Kiya Daughrity, Saint Angela School, Chicago, IL
• Mary Blycheck, Christ the Divine Teacher School, Latrobe, PA
• Baley Irvin, St. Joseph School, Verona, VA

5^th–6^th Grade Essay Finalists:

• Rylan Wagner, Lytle Junior High, Lytle, TX
• Logan Wilson, Lytle Junior High, Lytle, TX
• Danielle Baughman, St. Mary's Catholic School, Boise, ID
• Jillian S. Kratz, Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Butler, PA
• Kloie Forbes, Perdido Elementary/Middle School, Perdido, AL
• Connor Granvall, St. Mary's Catholic School, Boise, ID
• Jared Espinoza, Brooks Estrella Academy, San Antonio, TX
• Nataly Hall, Edgewood Elementary, Edgewood, PA
• Reese McCracken, Christ The Divine Teacher School, Latrobe, PA
• Ki'Azhae Lawrence, Elderton Elementary School, Kittanning, PA

7^th–8^th Grade Essay Finalists:

• Alyssa Lambert-Alonso, Laurel Highlands Middle School, Uniontown, PA
• Melody Hoing, Highland Middle School, Beaver Falls, PA
• Hannah Monti, St. Mary's Catholic School, Boise, Idaho
• Logan Turner, Perdido Elementary/Middle School, Perdido, AL
• Nicholas Navarro, East Catholic School, Pittsburgh, PA
• Nicole Ceperich, Saint Mary's Catholic School, Boise, ID
• Eddie Miller, St. John the Baptist School, Pittsburgh, PA
• Raelyn Horne, Belle Vernon Area Middle School, Belle Vernon, PA
• Nate Johnson, St. Mary's Catholic School, Boise, ID
• Juliana Renfro, Kountz Middle School, Kountz, TX

Paralyzed Veterans 2014 Veterans Day Poster and Essay Contest winners are posted on www.pva.org/posteressay.

Congratulations to the Grand Prize winners and finalists, and thanks to all students who participated.