Essay Contest

Every year, we team up with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit to present the Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest. Every year, first, second, and third-place winners are announced as part of our annual Veterans Day celebration in Media, PA.

The goal of the contest is to encourage students to learn about US veterans and how they preserve our freedom. The contest is open to all Delaware County students in grades 6 through 8. Each of the 3 winners receives a cash prize and is asked to read from his/her essay during the Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony.

As part of their research process, students are encouraged to either interview a veteran in person, or view our interview video gallery.

Announcing the Winners of the 2021 Veterans Day Essay Contest

American flag

This year’s winners of the 2021 Veterans Day Essay Contest are: Camryn McClellan, 6th Grade – Richardson Middle School Jamie Scott, 6th Grade – Springton Lake Middle School Angelina Frazier, 6th Grade – Springton Lake Middle School First Place- Camryn McClellan On his 75th mission over Vietnam, Navy pilot captain Charlie Plumb […]

Read more

Announcing the Winner of the 2020 Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest

Delaware County Indermediate Unit was the proud sponsor of our annual essay contest for Delaware County Middle School Students. This year, the students were asked to interview a family member or a close family friend who has served in any branch of the US military and to write a 200-word essay on […]

Read more

Announcing the Winner of the 2019 Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest

This year’s essay topic was focused around the American Legion and its 100th anniversary. Students were asked to reflect on the American Legion, what it is, how it serves our veterans, and how we can get veterans of recent wars, like Iraq and Afganistan, to join the Legion. First Place: The winning […]

Read more

Now Accepting Submissions for the 2019 Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest

*Submissions for 2019 are now closed. Information about 2020’s essay contest will be made available closer to the 2020 Veteran’s Day Parade. In the meantime, you can view the winning essays here.* We are excited to announce that we are currently accepting submissions for the Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest, in honor […]

Read more

Announcing the Winner of the 2018 Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest

This year’s winner of the Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest is Makenna Linsky, a 6th grader at E.T. Richardson Middle School. Makenna wrote about her great grandfather’s service as a switchboard operator during WWII. First Place Thank you, Makenna and congratulations! You can read her essay below: I remember my great-grandad as […]

Read more

Announcing the Winner of the 2017 Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest

We are excited to announce this year’s winner of the Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest. This year’s winner is Brendan Hung, an 8th grader at Radnor Middle School. Brendan’s essay illuminates the struggles veterans face when transitioning back to civilian life after deployment and explores what students like him can do to […]

Read more

2015 Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest

The Delaware County Intermediate Unit, U.S. Veterans Legacy Project and National Veterans Education Project are pleased to announce the 2015 Mary Ryan Memorial Essay Contest in honor of the annual Veteran’s Day celebration in Media, PA. The goals of the contest are to encourage Delaware County students to learn more about US […]

Read more

2003 Mary Ryan Memorial Poster & Essay Contest Winners

The U.S. Veterans Legacy Project is pleased to present the winners in the Annual Mary Ryan Memorial Poster and Essay Contests. The Delaware County Community should be very proud of the veterans, teachers, students and parents who helped to make these contests so wonderfully successful.   Essay Contests: Sixth Grade: Brianna Golphin, […]

Read more