Each year, the VFW holds its Patriot Pen contest for students in grades 6-8 and its Voice of Democracy contest for students in grades 9-12. 

Students compete for monetary prizes at the local level and then a chance at the district, state, and national levels. All winners from the local VFW Manitou Post #1343 were from Rochester Community Schools this year.  

The topic for the Patriots Pen contest this year was "How are you inspired by America?"  Local winners were 8th grader Emma Murphy - 1st place; 7th grader Molly Moore -  2nd place; 8th grader Audrey Tobin - 3rd place.

The Voice of Democracy theme was "Why is the veteran important?".  Local winners were juniors Payton Moore - 1st place; Kaedra Shook - 2nd place; Katea Andrianova - 3rd place.