From left are Assistant Principal Jason Culver; Principal JoElla Hauselman; VFW Commander Bob Dockery; eighth-grade student Aeva Ashenfelter; Connie Ashenfelter, parent; Abbi Richcreek, nominating teacher; and Warsaw Community Schools’ Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert. Photo provided.

Press Release

WARSAW — Edgewood Middle School teacher Abbi Richcreek recently announced that her eighth-grade student, Aeva Ashenfelter, won a $500 award contest held by the Veterans of Foreign Wars local Post 1126.

This is the second year Richcreek’s students entered the writing contest. Last year’s winner was Haley Rodewald. Other entries from Edgewood Middle School include Joshua Owens, Nick Battles and Kaci Shaffer. This contest is held at the local, regional, state and national levels.

Richcreek is a Project Lead The Way teacher at EMS who is passionate about inspiring her students to take full advantage of opportunities to grow. This was not a classroom or homework assignment but rather an invitation to go above and beyond. Richcreek would like to thank all student participants for giving their time and talent to write a 300-400 word essay that expressed their thoughts on this year’s annual theme: “What is Patriotism to Me?”

The award was presented by Commander Bob Dockery from VFW’s Post 1126.

“The review board chose Aeva’s essay out of nine local entries,” said Dockery. “The entries this year were extremely enticing and encouraging to see from a group of young adults. The board just thought Aeva’s essay expressed what our local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126 view represent.”

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in this contest,” said Ashenfelter. “I am grateful to have received this money and I plan to put it toward my college fund.”

A copy of Ashenfelter’s essay can be found on Edgewood’s website under the “News” section.