The Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW post 5899 recently announced the winners of the Patriotic Pen Writing Contest at Washington-Wilkes Middle School. They are Lauren Harrison, first place; Ansley Newsome, second place; and Anna Attwood, third place. Pictured at the awards presentation above are (front row, l-r) Jeanette Dozier, president of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 5899; Lauren Harrison; Ansley Newsome; Anna Attwood; Debbie McLeod, W-WMS gifted teacher; (back) Bill Pendrey, principal of W-WMS; and Laura Houpt, Patriotic Pen program chairman.