Essay contest

Patricia Hoyt, first place winner of the AAFES Back to School Essay Contest 12th grade category, poses with Colonel Jay B. Silveria, 48th Fighter Wing Commander, Steve Williams, AAFES General Manager, and her mother Mison Hoyt Nov. 24 at RAF Lakenheath, England. Students in grades first through twelfth had the opportunity to submit an essay of 200 words or less on “What AAFES means to me and my family.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Perry Aston)

Essay contest

Tristen Howk, third place winner of the AAFES Back to School Essay Contest poses with Colonel Jay B. Silveria, 48th Fighter Wing Commander, Steve Williams, AAFES General Manager, and his mother Staff Sgt. Theresa Newell Nov. 24 at RAF Lakenheath, England. Students in grades first through twelfth had the opportunity to submit an essay of 200 words or less on “What AAFES means to me and my family." (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Perry Aston)

Local students earn AAFES honors

Published Nov. 26, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Torri K. Larson
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Three students were awarded gift cards from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Nov. 24 for their efforts in a Back to School Essay Contest.

Steve Williams, AAFES General Manager presented the gift cards to Patricia Hoyt, Grand Prize Winner of the 10-12 grade category; Tristen Howk, third place winner of the 4-6 grade category; and Wade Lawrie, second place winner of the 1-3 grade category.

"Tristen worked hard on his essay and to place meant that his hard work paid off," said Staff Sgt. Theresa Newell, Tristen's mom.

Sergeant Newell said she encourages her son and helps him with homework, making crafts and writing. After seeing the Back to School Essay Contest on the AAFES Web site, she said she thought it would be a good thing for Tristen to write about.

Tristen's essay was about the presence of AAFES at each military base where he has lived. He thanked AAFES for giving his family a "taste of home anywhere, everywhere around the world."