VFW Post 9983 Announces Their 2025-2026 Youth, Education and Public Servant Awards

VFW Post 9983 is happy to announce their 2025-2026 Youth, Education and Public Servant Awards.

Starting with the Youth Awards, this year's Patriot's Pen Patriotic Written Essay Award winner is Dixon Middle Schools student Kohen Kelly. The Grand Prize for this Award is $5,000. Moving to the Voice of Democracy Patriotic Audio Essay Award, the honor goes to Benjamin Mills, a Dixon High School student. Benjamin also won at the District level. This Awards Grand Prize is a $35,000 scholarship. Lastly, Oliver Paradysz of Southwest High School was awarded JROTC Cadet of the Year.

All the Education Awards went to Dixon Area Teachers. Andrew Goodwin, was awarded High School Teacher of the Year at the Post and District level.  Jeremiah Williams was named Middle School Teacher of the Year and Kristen Kelly Elementary School Teacher of the Year at the Post level.

Lastly, the Onslow County Sheriff's Office swept the Public Servant Awards. Detention Officer of the Year was Devon White, winning at the Post and District level. Law Enforcement Officer of the Year was Dylan O'Dwyer. SRO of the Year went to Flora Ortiz. Scott Gabler won the Public Servant of the Year.