That was the question and Smithtown High School West junior Olivia Wolber had the answer!
Olivia entered and won the local Voice of Democracy competition sponsored by Smithtown VFW Post 10870.
Olivia had to write and record a 3-5 minute broadcast script on a patriotic theme, competing for more than $2.3 million in college scholarships and incentives.This year's theme was "Why is the Veteran Important."
One excerpt of Olivia's essay reads "They are examples for all to look up to thank and follow.
They are educators of love and tolerance. They are reminders to the youth and to the naive why we
should rise for our pledge to the flag of a country we get to call our own. They remind us why we
put our right hand over our beating hearts during our national anthem. Because it is them who
had the whites of their eyes go red from crying their tears of blue in heartbreak watching
brothers and sisters fall around them."
Olivia’s essay will now advance in National competition to VFW County, District, NYS and National level judging.
Olivia joined Tom Mooney of the Smithtown VFW along with Smithtown High School West Principal John Coady, Assistant Principal Annemarie Freund, Director of Social Studies Charles Benvenuto and Social Studies teacher Dillon Archer for a congratulatory picture.
