The Edwardsburg School Board honored Cheyenne Wilfert, an eighth-grade student, Monday night for winning a statewide Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot’s essay contest.

Wilfert was recognized by Janet MacLean, middle school principal, who said the project was intended to provide Michigan students with a “voice” about what patriotism means to them.

Wilfert is a student in Leslie Zech’s English class who was given the option of earning extra credit by entering a 500-word essay in the contest.

She won the local and district competition and then placed first in the state. Her essay was then entered into a national competition where she placed 30th in the United States.

During an award ceremony held April 16 at the Edwardsburg American Legion, U.S. Representative Fred Upton, State Representative David Pagel, Superintendent of Schools Sherman Ostrander, members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and the ladies auxiliary attended the ceremony.

Her name is now included along with other past state winners on the State Veteran of Foreign Wars trophy.

Ostrander told the board that when Congressman Upton spoke, there was a standing ovation.

“This looks like something that would have been written 75 to 80 years ago,” he said.

Wilfert said in her speech, “Patiotism is the love, loyalty and support of one’s country. I am a patriot of the United States of America because I take pride in calling it my home.”

The board in other business awarded three bids for roof improvements to Hoekstra Roofing of Kalamazoo as presented by Tony Leininger of Carmi Design Group, Inc., Edwardsburg, for a total of $309,000.

The middle school, Eagle Lake school and the primary school will receive coatings to preserve membrane that will extend the warranty by 12 years.

The gym and a portion of the hallway near the library at the primary school will have old membrane removed and replaced with new membrane to include a 20-year warranty. Construction will start in June.

The board continued to opt in Schools of Choice by June 1 to accept nonresidential students who live in a district located in a contiguous intermediate school district.