Schools 
Local students were recently recognized for their writings about patriotism and the contributions of veterans on Sunday, Jan. 22 at the Camas Community Center.
Local winners in the Camas-Washougal Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4278 District 6 level essay program included the following:
State Junior Essay, “Why are men and women who serve in the military special?”: Third-graders Caitlin Higdon (third-place), Andreen Tsai (second-place) and Emmett Nelson (first-place) of Helen Baller Elementary; fourth-graders Shaye Parnell (third-place, Helen Baller Elementary) Bella Dickerson (second-place, Cape Horn-Skye) and Lauren Clary (first-place, Lacamas Heights Elementary),; and fifth-graders Anna Chaffee (second-place, Gause Elementary); and Sam Perry (third-place) and Addison Williams (first-place) of Lacamas Heights Elementary).
Nelson and Clary were also state level winners.
Patriot’s Pen, “The America I Believe In”: Sixth-graders Madison Reece Escamilla (third-place), Aaron Nikolas Poljakov (second-place) and Kael M. Krabbenhoft (first-place) of Jemtegaard Middle School); seventh-grader Simone Anne Velansky (third-place) and eighth-grader Darla Lynn Walker (third-place) of Canyon Creek Middle School.
Voice of Democracy, “My Responsibility to America”: Ryan J. Krout (second-place) and Mitchell M. Leon (first-place) of Washougal High School. Leon is also a state level winner.
