High school students excel in VFW speech contest

FALLBROOK — Each year, the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsors the Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest.

This year, Lee Watson, the Fallbrook Post adjutant, organized the contest and, for the 13th year in a row, Fallbrook High School educator and Speech Club advisor Lutz Zastrow guided students through the competition.

A record number of students participated in the oratorical contest with the top six receiving US Savings Bonds. Winners were Wade Colburn, first place; Brooke Wojdynski, second place; Greta Ballif, third place; Alex Deuling, Honorable Recognition; Heston Horwin, Honorable Recognition; and Oasis High School student Michael Hayes, Honorable Recognition.

The following students also received recognition for their participation: Chelsea Carpenter, Taylor Crouse, Amanda Griffith-Bryan, Stephanie Jansen, Jenelle Madden, Joshua Metzler and Reece Petterson.