The Aptos Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars awarded thirteen students for their top essays entitled “Why I Am an American Patriot”. Out of 208 students who wrote essay in Kate Sutherland and Elizabeth Black’s Language Arts classes there were four 7th graders: Kaitlyn Black, Kiley Black, Emilio Cantu-Gil, and Charisse Hardin who were honored; and nine eighth graders who were honored: Carson Dicicco, Dustin Hill, Dylan Hull, Joanna Lindblad, Natasha Murtha, Kathryn Rood, Rene Scurfield, Christine Ueberrhein, and Simone C. Williamson. Natasha Murtha wrote the winning essay that was not only chosen at the Aptos Post, but was also chosen as a winner at the District level. Natasha Murtha was awarded two hundred dollars for her essay at an award night in December.
Also awarded was Kate Sutherland and Elizabeth Black for their students’ participation in the essay contest. A special award from the California Council District Twelve of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was given to Elizabeth Black as “VFW Teacher of the Year”. In recent years 1,200 Aptos Jr. High students have participated in the VFW essay contest.