Area middle and high school students were honored Thursday night by VFW Post 7287 and Auxiliary 7287. It was the annual banquet for winners of the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions.

The Voice of Democracy is an audio essay contest for students in 9-12 grade. The Post overall winner was Carly F. Chandler of Ringgold High School. She was presented with a certificate and $200 scholarship.

The Patriot’s Pen essay contest is for 5th through 8th grade students. This year’s winner to represent the post is Bailey Diane Martin of Riverdale Academy.

Here is the complete list of winners from participating schools:

Red River High School Voice of Democracy first place Kori Allen, second place Erica Grant and third place Jon Russell.

Ringgold High School Voice of Democracy first place Carly Chandler, second place Christopher Taylor and third place Kyle Smith.

Red River Junior High School Patriot’s Pen first placeLa’Dabriana Calhoun, second place Taylor Boulers, and third place Briana Jefferson.

Riverdale Academy Patriot’s Pen first place Bailey Diana Martin, second place Garrett Daniel Wilhite, and third place James Wagoner.

The Americanism program conducted each year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars involves school children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The local post presents the program in Red River and Bienville parishes.