Severn Holds Awards Ceremony to Celebrate VFW Speech Contest Winners

In recognition of their achievements, Severn partnered with VFW local leadership to host an awards ceremony in Price Auditorium, where students who placed in the top three in the service organization’s primary competitions were recognized. The competitions are the Voice of Democracy, Buddy Poppy, and Loyalty Day.

Severn students can get involved in these speaking events through the Severn Oratorical Society, a student-led club that provides opportunities to improve public speaking skills, or as a junior or senior enrolled in the American Public Address Seminar, a class offered by the English Department and taught by Dr. Jackie Baugh.

Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express by submitting a five-minute audio recording of an original speech on a specific topic. The 2026 Voice of Democracy prompt was, “What a Veteran Taught Me About America”.

The Buddy Poppy contest calls on students to memorize and recite the poem “In Flanders’ Fields” and to pay tribute to fallen WWI veterans. The Loyalty Day competition requires students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and then answer questions about May 1, the day the VFW designates to promote the values of American freedom and to honor those who protect the nation.

Severn students earned numerous awards in these signature VFW programs at the Post, District, and State levels. Members of VFW Posts #160, #304 and #327 participated in the awards ceremony, which was presided over by Dr. Christine Sandoval, VFW Youth Program Director.

The award winners for 2025-26 are:

1st- Harrison Szot ’27

3rd- Katherine Kraft ’27

1st- Alexis Patane ’27

2nd- Rhett Walker ’27

3rd- Antonia Huber ’26

1st- Jeremy Jones ’27

2nd Olivia Cochran ’26

3rd- Sohum Sachdev ’28

1st- Alexis Patane (304)

2nd- Harrison Szot (160)

3rd- Jeremy Jones (327)

2nd-Alexis Patane (Post 304)

3rd-Harrison Szot (Post 160)

4th-Jeremy Jones (Post 327) 

 

1st- Brendan Szydlik ’26

2nd- Jackson Phillips ’27

3rd- Cole Gray ’26

1st- Jack Sweeney ’27

2nd- Carson Cassano ’26

3rd- Addison Lamb ’27

1st- Emory McAllister ’29

2nd- Ryan Forgione ’27

3rd- Aidan Gunther ’27

1st- Brendan Szydlik (160)

2nd place tie- Emory McAllister (327)

2nd place tie- Jack Sweeney (304)

1st- Brendan Szydlik (Post 160)

Tie for 2nd- Emory McAllister (Post 327)

Tie for 2nd-Jack Sweeney (Post 304)

1st- Alexis Patane         

2nd- Rhett Walker         

3rd- Christopher Hanson ’27

2nd - Olivia Cochran 

1^st - Brendan Szydlik

2^nd - Jack Sweeney

3^rd - Cole Gray

2^nd-Jackson Phillips

3^rd-Addison Lamb

1^st- Antonia Huber

2^nd - Carson Cassano

3^rd -Aidan Gunther

1^st -Brendan Szydlik (Post 160)

Severn School thanks the VFW for providing our youth excellent competitive opportunities to develop their patriotism and oral communication skills.