Starbuck VFW Commander Bob Friesen and Auxiliary President Karen Tharaldson presented awards to the top seven out of 96 entries submitted from MAHS in the 2022-2023 “Voice of Democracy Scholarship” competition. Students pictured above are (from left): Gavin Cain, Connor Quelle, Ashlyn Bergemann, Kia Matt, Teagan Stark, Blake Nelson and Riley Larson. These seven students’ oral essays were forwarded to compete in the Minnesota VFW District 5 competition. At District, Ashlyn placed third and Kia placed first. Kia’s essay was put into the state competition with 1st place winners from 8 other districts. Each student received a certificate and monetary award from the Starbuck VFW. Kia and Ashlyn also received a plaque and monetary award from District 5, according to Friesen and Tharadsen.