Morse High School’s valedictorian is the first Mainer to win first place at the national Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy audio-essay program, demonstrating patriotism and democratic values.

Olivia Drewniak’s award-winning essay addressed the question “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?” Drewniak’s essay was a personal story about her mother and what she has done so far to live up to her legacy by serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. She reflected on how that service carries over into the communities and the sacrifice it takes to serve and protect America.

“Patriotism is more than the colors of our flag or the sound of our national anthem,” Drewniak said, reading from her essay at the Parade of Winners ceremony at the Union League of Philadelphia. “It is the quiet promise we keep to the ideals that built this country.”

She will receive a $35,000 scholarship to go toward her double major in political science and biology at Boston College. The Voice of Democracy audio essay provides 28,000 high school students from across the country a chance to win educational scholarships and incentives totaling $1.6 million.

The winners from each state went to the Founding Forward campus in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to participate in a four-day program where students experience and take part in mock congressional debates and visit historical sites.

“The young people today are smarter than what adults give them credit for because they ask questions you would not believe they would ever ask, and they are interested in knowing and understanding what it meant to be in the military,” said Edward Harmon, District 7 commander at the Bath VFW.

Drewniak’s English teacher, Brian Stanton, encouraged her to enter the contest, and the inspiration for her essay came from watching her mother, Megan, serve her country. Drewniak’s audio essay features her mother, who recently earned a captain’s rank after serving for 23 years.

Drewniak enlisted in the Coast Guard in November 2024 when she was 17, and last summer she attended basic training at Cape May in New Jersey. She is now and will become a boatswain’s mate while finishing up graduation requirements at Morse High School.

Drewniak enlisted through a delayed decision program launched in 2024, allowing students to join the Coast Guard during their junior and senior years of high school.

Drewniak will be Morse High School’s valedictorian for Morse High School’s Class of 2026, and before her high school days are over, she will canvass for Nirav Shah’s gubernatorial campaign, pursuing her passion for political science.

“I have dedicated countless hours to voter registration drives, believing wholeheartedly that access to the ballot is not only a privilege but the beating heart of our democracy,” Drewniak said.

Drewniak moved around with her mom every two to three years before ending up in Woolwich six years ago. Her brother, Liam, is in his third year at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and her father, Kyle, teaches at the academy.

“I was tremendously honored to be representing my state,” Drewniak said. “I am very lucky to have the support of such an amazing [VFW] post in the state behind me.”

MORSE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION DETAILS

WHEN: June 14 at 2 p.m.

WHERE: McMann Field

GOOD TO KNOW: Tickets are only needed in case of inclement weather, in which case graduation will be held in the high school gymnasium. Seniors will be given eight tickets each.

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