Josephine Buttafarro, Patriot’s Pen essay contest winner from Southwestern Middle School, reads her award-winning essay before family, friends, teachers and program participants, with English Language Arts teacher Lucia Guarnieri looking on. P-J photos by Christopher Blakeslee

Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars John W. Tiffany Post, No. 52 William Johnston reads the results of the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest on Friday at Southwestern Central School Middle School, located at 600 Hunt Road.