Learning about our freedoms' foundations

Cheney High School sophomore Juliane De los Santos loves to write essays, taking inspiration from his language arts teacher Krista Delaney.

So when counselors at the school's career counseling center told him of a contest he could win by writing an essay, De los Santos wasted no time. He pounded out "Why it's important to vote" and submitted it to Spokane AMVETS Post 92 as his entry in the "Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program" contest.

Post president and AMVETS national executive committee member Gloria George read it and liked it, and forwarded it to the organization's national office...