The Perry Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2060 presented its annual Teacher of the Year awards and honored student essayists Monday during Veterans Day ceremonies at the Perry Performing Arts Center.
Perry VFW Commander Nathan Hoffman and Chaplain Ron Leber presented the annual awards. Selections included:
- Perry High School Teacher of the Year: Gary Overla, high school social studies
- Perry Middle School Teacher of the Year: Sarah Iben eighth grade social studies
- Perry Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Lyndsey Buhrman second grade
PHS senior Fatima Rodriguez won the VFW’s Voice of Democracy award, and her audio diary will now progress to the district contest. The theme for this year’s Voice of Democracy contest was “What makes America great?”
Chaplain Leber also presented the awards for the Patriot Pen essayists:
- Bronze Patriot Pen Award: sixth grader Ty Brokaw
- Silver Patriot Pen Award: eighth grader Egan Leber
- Gold Patriot Pen Award: eighth grader Kaitlyn Leber
Brief presentations were also delivered by military family members from the Perry Middle School. Julie Maylum spoke about her deployed uncle, Mike Maylum, and Brooke Nelson spoke about her deployed brother, Beau Nelson.
