The winners of Edwardsburg VFW Post 2284’s Patriot’s Pen Contest will be presented with their awards Jan. 9.

The national essay contest had a theme this year of “What I would Tell America’s Founding Fathers.” A total of six contestants took part for the Edwardsburg Post, with first, second and third place winners receiving $75, $50 and $25 respectively. The remaining three participants will receive certificates.

The local winner has his essay sent on to the district level, where he or she can win a savings bond and have their essay advance to the state level.

This year’s first place winner of the Edwardsburg contest has already had the essay sent on to the district competition where it won first place and finished in the top five at the state level.

“We don’t know if it took first place or fifth place,” Kim Flora, of the ladies auxiliary, who will be hosting the event said.

Participants, in grades sixth through eighth, were asked to submit a 400-word essay by Nov. 1.

The Edwardsburg Post will celebrate with a pizza party and the awards presentation Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. at the VFW.

While the district banquet will not be held until March, the winner of the Edwardsburg contest will travel to Kalamazoo for the state banquet Jan. 26.