Clara Heinicke Places Second Runner Up at District VFW Voice of Democracy Speech Contest
Launch the media gallery 1 playerSHS Junior, Clara Heinicke of Seward placed second runner up at the recent Voice of Democracy speech contest sponsored by the local, area VFW District. She was sponsored locally by the Seward VFW Post 4755 and the Seward VFW Auxiliary. She was recognized at the local VFW District meeting held at Waverly, NE on Sunday, January 25. She is the daughter of David and Jane Heinicke of Seward.
Clara received a signed framed certificate, cash award and medal for her placement. The theme for this year’s contest was “Why Veterans are Important to Our Nation’s History and Future!” She was required to write and record her speech that was three to five minutes in length.
Local students from Seward High who were finalists in the VFW Voice of Democracy speech contest at the District level were Will Helmer, Kyle Rojewski, Austin Van Velson, Alexa Bruick, Megan Runyan, Emma Orwen and Clara Heinicke. At the local level, Helmer placed first, Rojewski placed second and Van Velson placed third. There were 109 local entries in the Seward contest and the VFW Post was able to send one entry for every 15 to the District contest.
Clara Heinicke and the local winners of the Seward VFW Post and Auxiliary contest will be honored again in May at the SHS Honors Night by the VFW. Greg Holloway is the local chair for the Seward VFW Voice of Democracy program and Clark Kolterman is the Seward High Speech teacher, working with the local VFW. Jill Johnson of ESU #6, chaired the judging for the local contest.