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WHS Social Studies teacher Tim Clark, Bay Village VFW Post 9693 Commander Fred Green, WHS junior Nicholas Gauntner and WHS Principal Paul Wilson
Westlake High School junior Nicholas Gauntner took third place in the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy audio essay contest.
Bay Village VFW Post 9693 Commander Fred Green awarded Nicholas $50 and a certificate for his essay on the topic “Why My Vote Matters.” Nicholas had to submit a recording of his essay for review by a panel of veterans and local teachers.
Nicholas entered after WHS Social Studies teacher Tim Clark offered extra credit to any student who completed the essay and submitted it to the contest, which is open to grades 9-12. He was the only applicant from Westlake. Green said they received four entrants from Bay Village High School, St. Joseph High School and WHS.
Nicholas is a member of the WHS Orchestra, the WHS Demons Varsity football team and the Varsity track team.
The top winner from each VFW post advances to the District level. The District winner advances to the state level, where state winners are invited to Washington, D.C., for the chance at a $30,000 grand prize award. Each year nearly 40,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives.
