During the April 14th Lansing School Board meeting, Commander Dave Vodarick of the Lansing VFW Post 12003 presented several awards to recognize exceptional contributions by students and staff.
Student Awards
The VFW annually sponsors scholarship programs to honor student achievements in the areas of patriotism and community service. This year’s honorees included:
David Vodarick III – Patriot’s Pen Winner
David, a middle school student, was selected for his outstanding written essay centered around patriotism and community engagement.Landon Bouma – Voice of Democracy Winner
Landon, a high school student, was recognized for his exceptional oral presentation on similar themes of patriotism and service. He also received a $100 scholarship and a certificate from the VFW.
Teacher of the Year
Coach Michael Basler
The VFW honored Coach Basler as their Teacher of the Year, praising his dedication to promoting civic awareness, community values, and student engagement. Commander Vodarick noted both professional admiration and a personal connection, sharing that Coach Basler was the CCR (College and Career Readiness) teacher for his daughter. His influence at both the individual and community levels earned him this distinction.
Commander Vodarick emphasized the profound impact educators like Coach Basler have on students, highlighting the vital role teachers play where “the rubber meets the road”—at the point of direct interaction with students.