Three Traverse City East Junior High School ninth grade students have earned the top three places in the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) “Voice of Democracy” contest. Under the guidelines of the VFW's Voice of Democracy program: Courtney Gorter, Nicole Helmboldt, and Chris Gauthier wrote compelling essays on the topic  “My Roll in Honoring America’s Veterans.”  The essays were submitted as recorded speeches of three to five minutes in length.

On December 8, 2007 the students will be honored at the local VFW Hall and will each will receive U.S. savings bonds as a prize. Courtney Gorter will receive a $500 savings bond for first place, Nicole Helmboldt will receive a $300 savings bond for second place, and for third place Chris Gauthier will receive a $200 savings bond. 

Please contact Ann Cooper at 933-7357 for more information