MUSCATINE, Iowa—Three students at Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic School placed in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot’s Pen essay contest at the district and state levels. According to the school’s principal, Ben Nietzel, fourth grader Eva Kurriger and fifth grader Noah Leza both earned first place honors at the district level and third grader Gianna Nietzel earned second place. Noah also won first place at the state level.