Blue Jay winners of the Freedom Foundation essay contest include (from left) sophomore William Fine, junior Benji Creel, sophomore Chris Beebe, junior Mark Puglia, and junior Sterling Stafford.

Sophomores Chris Beebe and William Fine won the 2015 essay contest sponsored by the New Orleans Chapter of Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge (FFVF). They, along with seven other local winners, were awarded an all-expense paid trip to a Youth Leadership Symposium in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The winners were honored at a luncheon held at the Metairie Country Club in May 2015.

Last year’s Jesuit participants—juniors Benji Creel, Mark Puglia, and Sterling Stafford—were also in attendance at the concluding luncheon. Creel and Stafford were presented the George Washington Medal for receiving national recognition for their essays.

Freedoms Foundation is a national patriotic organization whose purpose is to develop among young Americans an understanding and appreciation of the nature and benefits of freedom and the institution of a free society. Freedom’s Foundation Valley Forge is a four-day residential program for selected high school students from across the US. The program, located in Valley Forge,PA, provides an intensive democratic experience for participants including a mock Congress, leadership workshops, historic tours, motivational speakers and more, all designed to be fun while encouraging participants to reflect on their role as responsible citizens in a democratic society.

Jesuit history teacher Mr. Ron Rossi, who submitted nine essays from AP U.S. History students to FFVF, said that Jesuit has had a student winner every year that Jesuit has entered the competition.