Darling awarded for her second-place State finish in VFW Patriot’s Pen student essay contest ...

Kee Middle School eighth grader Alyssa Darling, daughter of Mark and Kris Darling of Lansing, was awarded second place by the Department of Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in the annual VFW Patriot’s Pen student essay contest. Sponsored by Lansing VFW Post 5981, Darling placed first in both the local Post and VFW 9th District levels of the essay competition, advancing to the State level of competition to earn her second-place finish. She was presented a certificate and a check for her award-winning essay by Lansing VFW Commander Dan Hanson at Kee Middle School Wednesday, March 27. Pictured above at that presentation event with Darling are members of Lansing VFW Post 5981. Left to right: John O’Hara, Glen Reed, Tim O’Malley, Dan Hanson, Jon Baker, Steve Morarend and Don Peters. Submitted photo.