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Local student wins patriotic essay contest

| 11 Feb 2015 | 01:47
    Hailey O’Connor, holding plaque, with Rev. Msgr. Kieran McHugh, President, Thomas Costello, Principal, Jo-Ann Higgs, eighth grade teacher, and Vin Bello, Vice Principal.
    Hailey O’Connor, holding plaque, with Rev. Msgr. Kieran McHugh, President, Thomas Costello, Principal, Jo-Ann Higgs, eighth grade teacher, and Vin Bello, Vice Principal.

SPARTA — Hailey O’Connor, an eighth grade student at Pope John XXIII Regional High School, placed first in the State of New Jersey for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Patriot’s Pen essay contest.

Prior to this honor, O'Connor earned first place for Sussex County, making her the first county student to place in the competition.

More than 100,000 students nationwide participate in the essay contest each yeaer, and state winners continue competing for one of forty-six national awards. The national first place winner receives $5,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., in March.

The essay contest encourages sixth through eighth grade students to reflect on America’s history and their contemporary American experience. Chosen by the national VFW Commander-in-Chief, this year’s patriotic theme is "Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans."

O’Connor's name will be added to the state traveling award, which will remain at Pope John XXIII for one year.