Stone City VFW Post 2199 in Joliet honors Elwood social studies teacher

Stone City VFW Post 2199 in Joliet recently presented the 2021 VFW Teacher Award to Theresa Rompala.

Rompala teaches social studies for students in grades six through eight at Elwood Community Consolidated School District 203. She also received the VFW Post 2199 Crystal Apple 2020 Award and $500 to help with future programs at the school.

The post honored Rompala for consistently involving and inspiring her students and others to participate in the VFW Patriot’s Pen writing essay contest, as well as additional activities to support veterans.

In a news release written by post chaplain and essay chairman Skip Hoechbauer, Rompala, sponsor of the school’s building club, said the club helps with obtaining donations and volunteers for Operation Care Package in Manhattan.

Rompala also said in the release that she encourages students to “support our local veterans in any way possible” and that “I believe that if we do not educate our students on patriotism, it may be lost and that is not something I intend to let happen.”

“In my own classroom, we participate in writing letters to soldiers serving overseas,” Rompala said in the release. “This provides the students with an opportunity to connect to experiences and people with whom they normally might not have contact. Also, I collaborate for Memorial Day for my eighth grade classes to write an essay, ‘What Memorial Day Means to Me.’ The winners can read their essay at the Memorial Day service and demonstrate their pride for our nation.”

Hoechbauer said the involvement of Elwood was greatly appreciated by the contest’s judges.

“The judges are veterans in senior living communities that were totally isolated from their loved ones during the pandemic,” Hoechbauer wrote in the release. “For them to be involved in this was very uplifting in their lives at a time most needed. It was due to this that private donations from our VFW members help fund this award.”

Hoechbauer also recognized the rest of the teachers and staff for “their continued contribution to the success of this school.”

“Through all your hard work and dedication, you have helped prepare the next generation to lead our country to a better tomorrow,” Hoechbauer wrote.

Rompala also was a nominee for 2008 Golden Apple Award was selected for the 2019-20 Top Educators of America Award, according to the release.

About the Veterans of Foreign Wars and programs for teachers

Founded in 1899, the VFW has developed a number of programs to help teachers stimulate interest in U.S. history and to recognize the best teachers in the U.S.

Recognition starts at the post level, then is forwarded to state and, finally, national levels. National awards are $1,000 to the teacher and school and a trip to Washington, D.C., for the teacher to receive the awards.

Deadline for nomination is Oct. 31 of each year.

For information, visit vfw.org.