A Litchfield High School student was awarded fourth place in this year's Illinois Voice of Democracy program last weekend.

Damon Burdell was presented the award in front of a crowd of people from across the state during a banquet held at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield on Saturday, Feb. 9. He competed against winners from sixteen other districts across the state. In addition to be honored as the fourth place winner, Burdell also received a check for $1,000. All seventeen district winners spent the weekend in Springfield, compliments of the Illinois VFW.

Activities began Friday, Feb. 8, with a pizza party, where district winners were able to meet each other. On Saturday, students enjoyed a tour of Springfield consisting of time at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Old State Capitol, New State Capitol, a tribute at Lincoln's Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery and a visit to the Illinois Military Museum at Camp Butler.

Festivities concluded Saturday evening with the awards banquet and an ice cream party afterwards.