VFW honors teachers and students

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press 

Students and teachers were rewarded on Saturday for their dedicated patriotism by VFW Post #8577, which announced and awarded prizes to the winners of the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award, Patriot’s Pen, and Voice of Democracy contests. 
Teachers were chosen based on their ability to teach/model good citizenship and community involvement, ability to instill patriotism, innovation, passion, and more. Students in grades 6-8 were able to enter the Patriot’s Pen competition where they wrote a 300- to 400-word essay on American history and how they view today’s society. CCHS students could enter the Voice of Democracy competition which had entrants record a 3 to 5-minute speech.
“It’s always kind of neat to be able to recognize the talents of our students and the outstanding leadership in the educators that we have directing them. It’s just amazing,” said Tom Duchateau, Voice of Democracy chairman. “There’s a lot of talent in CCISD.”
Charlotte Heinze and Faustino “Tino” Sanchez II were the proud winners of the Teacher Award.
“To win an award like this, you have to be dedicated, dependable—which all teachers are—and you have to do additional things outside of the classroom. You have to be part of the community, give back to the community, volunteer services, and be supportive of your local chapter,” said CCHS marketing/business teacher, Charlotte Heinze.
Heinze said that she sets up community service projects and requires her students to participate in at least one community service project a month. She said the projects help teach her students about the importance of social responsibility. She hopes that as they get older, her students will continue to give back. Just a few of those projects include helping with the Salvation Army, Blue Santa, food drives, Safe Trick or Treat, the Teen Suicide Awareness Walk, and much more.
Faustino “Tino” Sanchez II, a music teacher for Clements/Parsons Elementary School, said that it was both a surprise and an honor to win the Teacher Award. As he accepted his award, he thanked his fellow teachers and staff members, saying that he was happy to accept the award on behalf of the whole school.
“I’m privileged to teach 800 kids,” said Sanchez. “I get to have a positive impact on them.”
Sanchez said that he’s been teaching for 18 years. He talked about how he actively encourages his students. He encourages them to try new things, not to be scared of making mistakes. Sanchez teaches them that mistakes are ok and even how to accept and learn from failures. He said that it’s important to build relationships and trust with his students and offer them positive support. Sanchez mentioned how proud he was of Dimas Bonet, winner of the Voice of Democracy award, and one of Sanchez’s many former students.
“I think it’s important that we make intentional efforts to help students appreciate what a wonderful country we have,” said Patricia Remissong, CCISD’s Deputy Superintendent for Instructional Services. “Programs like this not only educate students, but they let students see us celebrate our great country, and I think those are great experiences for the kids to have.”
Remissong is still new to her job and to the community, but she said that she is grateful to those teachers who were nominated as well as to those students that took the time to enter the competition. 
Of all the talented students who entered the Patriot’s Pen competition, Lily Muncy received 1st place, Madison Sims came in 2nd place, and Julietta Bertzfield came in 3rd place.
Dimas Bonet, a CCHS senior, was the winner of the Voice of Democracy contest.
Bonet said that it was amazing to win and credited his entire family for motivating him. He was excited that his recruiter was there to watch him receive his award. Bonet will be joining the Reconnaissance Marines after he graduates.
This year, Bonet wrote about why our vote matters, it’s impact, and why the people should speak out by using that vote. He calls the vote a way of politely protesting. His entry also talks about coming together as a unified country and disagreeing without needing to resort to violence.
“A lot of people have opinions, and I’ve talked with friends about this and about what’s going on. We’re a vocal generation, and if they were to put what they have in their head or what they say out loud onto paper, if they do it politely, do it smart, they can make a change,” said Bonet. “Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t raise his hand, he raised his voice.”