Connor Wiik Wins Fourth Place at State Voice of Democracy Contest

Connor Wiik of Big Stone City earned fourth place in the state 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy scholarship contest sponsored by the Department of South Dakota VFW. Wiik, a senior at MHS, received the honor and a monetary prize at the awards banquet held in Pierre on Monday, January 22. Wiik is shown here with South Dakota VFW Commander Dave Baumiller and VFW Auxiliary President Pamela Vissia.

Wiik advanced to the District 4 and state competitions by winning the local contest conducted annually by Milbank VFW Post # 3486 and VFW Auxiliary #3486. Lilly Dreis took second place. Both Dreis and Wiik received monetary awards at the local level for their audio essays. This year’s theme was: What are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy? Nationally, over 57,000 high school students compete every year for $2 million in scholarships and incentives.

Connor Wiik’s Winning essay:

Tate Pew wrote the winning essay submitted to the local Patriot’s Pen contest that is also sponsored by the Milbank VFW and VFW Auxiliary. The competition was open to all sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students, including those who are home-schooled. Students submitted their views on the theme: How Are You Inspired by America? Brenna Wagner of Madison was selected as the District 4 winner and advanced to the state competition.

Local winners of the 2023-2024 Patriot’s Pen contest:
1st Place: Tate Pew (8th grade)
2nd Place: Raina Untalan (8th grade)
3rd Place: Colter Dreis (7th grade)

Tate Pew’s Winning Essay:

State first-place winners of both competitions will attend the 2024 VFW Washington Conference in Washington, D.C. to be held March 3-7. The national winner of the Voice of Democracy will receive the T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship of $35,000. The Patriot’s Pen winner will earn a $5,000 prize.

Submitted Photos: Top- Connor Wiik, Dave Baumiller and Pamela Vissia. Middle- Connor Wiik and Lily Dreis. Bottom- Raina Untalan, Tate Pew and Colter Dreis.