A local student and teacher were rewarded on Friday for their patriotism and hard work.

Mortimer Jordan High School student Erica Moody and Bryan Elementary School teacher Robin Brower each received $100 for winning contests sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

VFW Post 10250 in Fultondale gave the awards. Brower and Moody’s submissions now advance to the VFW district level.

Moody won the post’s annual Voice of Democracy essay contest. This year’s essay topic was, “Does my generation have a role in America’s future?” Principal Barbara Snider said that Moody, a senior, is active at her school.

Brower, a teacher at Bryan Elementary, won the VFW Honors America’s Teachers award.

“She is constantly seeking ways to ensure that our students are civic minded, such as heading up Bryan Clean Up Day, or American Flag Retiring Program for Veterans Day, Constitution Study, and the ink recycling program to make extra money for the school,” wrote school administrators in the nomination form. “Mrs. Brower is very passionate about civic responsibility, patriotism and American history; everything this award stands for.”

Bryan Elementary principal Debra Campbell said she is pleased with the work that Brower does with her students.