Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • January 27, 2010 FLOW Area FLOW students win VFW essay contest awards by Frank J. McMahon The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5702 in Franklin Lakes has recognized six Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School students as local winners of its 2009 Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Scholarship Program. Dominic Stimola of the VFW presented the awards at a recent board of education meeting. As first place winners at their schools, Zachary Cohen, a senior at Indian Hills, and Micaela Moffa, a sophomore at Ramapo, each received $150. Second place winners Kimberley Charles, a sophomore at Indian Hills, and Adriana Brandes, a sophomore at Ramapo, each received $100. Third place winners Chloe Marguerita, a sophomore at Indian Hills, and Jackie Shugard, a sophomore at Ramapo, won $75 each. The topic of the Voice of Democracy contest was: “Does America Still Have Heroes?” Students wrote and then recorded a three- to five-minute essay on this theme and a faculty committee at both high schools judged the entries on the basis of content, originality, and presentation. Cohen discussed how there are heroes in every culture and age. “Contemporary heroes are sometimes difficult to find these days,” he wrote. “Even when we find certain people we may admire, the most painful experience in life can sometimes be when we realize that our heroes are not who we think they are.” He went on to state that the historian’s pen can besmirch the reputation of once respected men and women and can cause even the most hopeful people to become cynical. But then he pointed out several well known people he has always admired, and others, such as his teacher who pushes him to the point that he realizes VFW members with Voice of Democracy winners. Ridgewood_5x3_4C_Ad_Layout 1 1/22/10 12:21 PM Page 1 At the NE LASER VEIN INSTITUTE, our in-office laser procedures are minimally invasive and extremely effective. Benefits include: To learn more, call today! 201-913-8063 • Minimal discomfort • Resume most normal activities immediately • Varicose vein procedures covered by Medicare and most insurance plans Glen Ridge, NJ • West Paterson, NJ • Ridgewood, NJ his passions and talents, and his aunt in her struggle against breast cancer, and his older brother who risks his life to fight in foreign wars. Moffa wrote that he would love to say that the world has a Spider-Man hiding in the corners of dark alleys waiting to save the day. But he stated, “Being a hero is not a word that can be used to describe just anyone. Being a hero is a person like a firefighter or a doctor saving people’s lives and maybe even risking their own to do so.” He continued, “Being SOMEONE’S hero…is having an impact on lives and being an inspiration to someone.” He added that everyone has that certain someone he or she admires; in his case, it is his father. “Most people think that a hero has to be someone who risks their life in order to save others, or some nonfictional character, but that’s not always the case,” he wrote. “Someone’s hero is a person who can change your life.” Cohen and Charles have received VFW awards in this contest in past years with (continued on page 21) Ned K. Majid, MD, FACS Board Certified Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon Voted Top Doctor New Jersey Magazine, 2007 & 2009 www.NELaserVeinInstitute.com Home Improvement Dental Implants Dental Implant � $995 Post $545 Crown $695 Decorating The Villadom TIMES is giving you the opportunity to present your quality services and merchandise in its special Home Improvement & Decorating section. In The Villadom TIMES, you’ll get the exposure you need in 56,300 homes right in your market area. And, as always, your Villadom TIMES advertising message is conveniently delivered each week by US mail to every residence in the 12 Bergen County towns listed below. & Publication: WEDNESDAY $2235 YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER Total �������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������ �������������������� �������������� Call The Villadom TIMES today to place your advertisement. WEDNESDAY Deadline: 201-652-0744 February 17 February 10 ZONE 1 - Wyckoff, Midland Park, Franklin Lakes ZONE 2 - Ridgewood, Glen Rock ZONE 3 - Ho-Ho-Kus, Allendale, Waldwick, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, ZONE 4 - Ramsey, Mahwah Call today for your free consultation! Offer Expires: March 31, 2010