Contest Honors Our Nation’s Heroes

Savannah Martin and Clare “Ce Ce” Pratt have been selected the grand prize winners in the Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) fourth annual Veterans Day Poster and Essay Contests. Martin and Pratt’s entries were chosen from more than 500 posters and 800 essays, respectively, that expressed the contest theme “Veterans Day: Honoring Our Nation’s Heroes.”

Martin, who is from Sioux Falls, SD, is a 9-year-old student at John Harris Elementary. Her poster was in honor of her grandfather, who was an Air Force fighter pilot. It incorporated the American flag and themes of patriotism and honor outlining the shape of a soldier. The poster was captioned: “They became part of America. America became part of them.”

Pratt, 11, attends St. Mary’s Catholic School in Boise, ID. Her essay reflected on the many sacrifices veterans make to help their country stay safe and keep our rights protected. She wrote, “…if it were not for the dedication of our veterans we would not be free and be in a place where we are safe.” Her concluding statement reiterates the work of Paralyzed Veterans each day: “We all love our veterans and should celebrate them every day…not just once a year.”

The grand-prize winning students will be flown to Washington, DC, with a family member to attend the Veterans Day observances at Arlington National Cemetery and Paralyzed Veterans’ Veterans Day reception, where they will receive awards.

Additionally, four winners were selected from each grade category. They are:
(Poster) 1st & 2nd grade: Johnathan Martin, California Virtual Academy, Simi Valley, CA;
(Poster) 3rd & 4th grade: Bay Gates, Patrick Henry Elementary School, Arlington, VA;
(Essay) 5th & 6th grade: Lisa Boatner, Mitchell Intermediate, The Woodlands, TX;
(Essay) 7th & 8th grade: Katie O’Rourke, St. Cajetan School, Chicago

Each of the category winners will receive a plaque of recognition, a $100 educational gift certificate and a plaque for their school acknowledging their achievement. The winning entries, along with the finalists in each poster and essay category, can be viewed online.

Click here to view the poster gallery.

Click here to read the essays.

Paralyzed Veterans launched the poster and essay contests as a way to creatively and actively involve America’s youth in the celebration of Veterans Day and to promote greater awareness of America’s 26 million veterans and the sacrifices they have made to ensure the freedoms we enjoy daily. The contest has grown steadily each year since its launch in 2003.