Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • January 26, 2011 FLOW Area Students win Voice of Democracy Awards by Frank J. McMahon The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5702 in Franklin Lakes recently recognized six students from Ramapo and Indian Hills high schools as local winners of its 2010-11 Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Scholarship Program. The topic was, “Doers my generation have a role in America’s future?” The students wrote and then recorded a three- to five-minute essay on the theme and a faculty committee at both high schools judged the entries on the basis of originality, which is worth 30 points; content, which is worth 35 points; and delivery, which is worth 35 points. Ramapo Social Studies Supervisor Joseph DelBuono and Indian Hills Social Studies Supervisor Hank Bitten presented the awards at a meeting of the regional high school board. As first place winners at their schools, Ramapo Helpful Hints Helpful Hints from Peter Says... ome senior Max Rettig and Indian Hills sophomore Kaitlyn McWha each received checks for $150. Second place winners were Ramapo sophomore Alexa Gambuti and Indian Hills sophomore Rachel Bronstein; they each received checks for $100. Third place winners were Ramapo sophomore Alex Murgio and Indian Hills junior Kimberly Charles; each received checks for $75. Charles was a second place winner in last year’s Voice of Democracy contest. Rettig’s essay pointed out that every generation must leave the safety of childhood and inherit the world the previous generation left for them. He stated that each generation inherits a world filled with hate and fear and society has always been changing technologically and socially and the members of the older generations are needed to teach and guide the next generation to avoid repeating past mistakes. “In each new generation there are problems, fears, and doubts but, there is also hope,” Rettig stated, “a hope that somehow we will be different from all those who came before.” Rettig said he doubts his generation will be able to completely do away with the evils that plague mankind and that his generation will make mistakes and learn from them, and, when the time comes, will pass on what they have learned. “Perhaps in this way we can change the world,” he stated, “at least a little bit for the better.” McWha pointed out in her essay that the world is constantly changing, and America is faced with new problems that, in the future, will have to be controlled by her generation. She noted the problems of unemployment and a struggling economy and said that it will be her generation’s responsibility to steer the nation to success. She predicted that her generation must be prepared to handle these issues when it is their time to do so and that every single member of her generation will be involved in shaping America in the future. She emphasized that they must be ready to take the places of the people who are leading the nation today whether it be in the military, or as members of Congress, the Supreme Court, and even as the President of the United States. “Once my generation is educated and mature, we will be able to handle these jobs with intelligence and responsibility,” McWha promised. “I am confident that we can transform America back into a nation with a strong economy, a strong military, and a strong spirit.” Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars premier scholarship program. The program is open to students in grades nine through 12 who are enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school study program in the United States and its territories. Each year, more than 50,000 high school students compete for more than $2.3 million in scholarships and incentives. The first-place winner in the 2009-10 contest was Madison Mullen, a senior at Olentangy Liberty High School in Delaware, Ohio. Her essay and speech on the theme, “Does America still have heroes?” won her a $30,000 college scholarship, which she applied toward earning her law degree. Other national scholarships in the program range from $1,000 to $16,000. The first-place winner from each state’s VFW Department wins an all-expensepaid trip to Washington, D.C. “Reverse your ceiling fan motor to drive heated air down into the room” 27 Franklin Tpk, Waldwick Open Sundays 9-3 201-652-5666 The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District has three seats available on the board of education. There will be two three-year positions open in the Borough of Oakland, and one three-year seat in the Township of Wyckoff. Petitions may be picked up between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the board office at Indian Hills High School, 131 Yawpo Avenue, Oakland. Petitions must be completed and filed with the board secretary by 4 p.m. on Friday, Candidates sought for BOE seats March 8. The drawing for the position on the ballot for candidate will be held March 17 in the district office conference room. The school board election will be held on April 27. Polls will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. Citizens will also vote on the school budget at this time. Legislation could change the school board member election and governance calendar. Keeping Families Warm Since 1929. 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