WHS students earn essay honors

Photos/Suzanne Loudamy Nat Arriola presents Corbin Seliga a certificate for his thirdplace essay. Arriola is an employment specialist for disabled veterans.. Below, Matthew Struble receives his award for first place from Arriola and Joe Hamrick with the Texas Veterans Commission. In the bottom photo, Cameron McDow is honored for second place.

Three Whitehouse High School students were honored for their essays on “What a military veteran means to me.” The essay competition came through the East Texas Workforce Center in Tyler.

“This is just one of many things that the Veterans Employment Services Representatives at the East Texas Workforce Center in Tyler do to connect employers with our local veterans which results in getting the veteran working and showcase the importance of hiring veterans and their value to the employer,” said James Warren, Employment Specialist for Veterans.

A first place certificate and $150 gift card went to Matthew Struble. Matthew is a sophomore and submitted his essay through Mr. Keeling’s world history class.

Second place, which included a $100 gift card, went to Cameron McDow. Cameron is also a sophomore and submitted her essay through Mr. Keeling’s world history class.

Third place went to Corbin Seliga, a junior in Mrs. Falls’ English class. His efforts earned him a $50 gift card.

The presentations were made possible by Arbor Employment and Training, East Texas Workforce Commission and Texas Veterans Commission.