The Bellingham, Concrete, Custer, Lynden and Oak Harbor posts of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary honored winners of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest with a ceremony on September 9 in Ferndale.

Alexandra Leegwater, sponsored by Custer Post #9474, placed second in the state, winning $200. Hannah Melland, sponsored by Bellingham Post #1585, placed fifth, winning $50.

Next year’s essay contest has new themes for the various age groups.

Grades three through five should explore the theme “How do I show my love for my country?”; grades six through 8 should explore the theme “What would I tell America’s founding fathers?”; and grades nine through 12 should explore the theme “Is our constitution still relevant?”

Entries in next year’s contest are due to the sponsoring post by November 1.