Jason Cirksena, a senior at Kasson-Mantorville High School, recently was recognized as the 2009 winner for the VFW Post 1642, Waseca, Voice of Democracy speech contest.

Cirksena focuses upon what heroes mean to him and received the $150 first prize on Dec. 7 at the post at a dinner awards recognition program. This was the third consecutive year he received the award. He will be attending Mankato State University in the fall of 2010, and competing for its wrestling team after also having accepted and signed a NCAA National Letter of Intent. 

He is the son of Wendy and Randy Cirksena of Geneva.