CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 26th annual Kiwanis Interview-a-Veteran Essay Contest winners were celebrated in an awards reception at Civic Hall on Tuesday.
The High School Division Grand Winner was Rossview JROTC Cadet Capt. Olivia Buehler, who captured the story of Col. Joe Peterburs, a highly decorated veteran whose military career spanned World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
At the end of last school year, Olivia traveled to New Orleans with the Gary Sinise Foundation through her JROTC program, and she spent several days with Peterburs, listening to his firsthand accounts of courage, sacrifice and resilience, according to a news release. (Her essay is published below.)
The Grand Winner of the Middle School Division was Adore Adams, who interviewed James Adams. (Her essay is published below.)
Here are the winners of the Interview-a-Veteran Essay Contest:
Middle School Division
- Grand Winner: Adore Adams, Kenwood Middle
- Runner Up: Adian Calcese, Immaculate Conception School
- Most Heroic: Jaylee Cornett, West Creek Middle
- Most Inspiring: Dulce Gonzalez, Immaculate Conception School
School-level winners:
- Clarksville Academy: Jade Kilmer
- Kirkwood Middle: Nicole Myers
- Montgomery Central Middle: Jensen Holder
- New Providence Middle: Sadie Buchanan
- Northeast Middle: Zoey Peyton
- Richview Middle: Gracelynn Barnes
- Rossview Middle: Kamille Kelley
- Virtual Middle: Emory Clouser
High School Division
- Grand Winner: Olivia Buehler, JROTC-Rossview High
- Runner Up: Wooyoung Sun, Rossview High
- Most Heroic: Fiona Mattie Hudspeth, Northeast High
- Most Inspiring: Carson Susong, Clarksville High
School-level winners:
- Ally Suiter, Clarksville Academy
- Madelyn Ratliff, Clarksville High
- Dianelys Delgado, Fort Campbell High
- Angelina Lopez, Kenwood High
- Ja’Laiyah Burgess, Kirkwood High
- JuaQiyah Spearman, Middle College
- Audrey Levendusky, Montgomery Central High
- Christian Spence, Northeast High
- Victoria Maners, Northwest High
- Giana Starkey, Virtual High
- Iteoluwaskishi Afolayan, West Creek High
Grand Winner, High School level
“How learning from Col. (Ret.) Joseph Peterburs’ story has shaped my perspective on Leadership, Service, and Resilience” by Olivia Buehler:
World War 11 often feels like just a chapter in a textbook, dates and battles that seem so far away in the past. But when you sit beside and converse with someone who lived it, the weight of their courage and sacrifice makes the history come alive once again. Colonel (Ret.) Joseph Peterburs was only nineteen and fresh out of childhood when he flew P-51 Mustang missions in Europe, was shot down, and was even taken as a prisoner of war. Even after witnessing and experiencing this trauma, he still went on to serve his country for decades, following with courage and dedication. I had the privilege of meeting Peterburs on a Soaring Valor trip with the Gary Sinise Foundation. This journey was not only deeply rewarding for me as a young teenager, but it also opened my eyes to history through a new and personal lens, guided by someone whose overall existence helped forge the very future of the country we cherish together. His story profoundly shaped the way I now view Leadership, Service, and Resilience, teaching me lessons few ever experience and that extend far beyond the classroom.
Colonel Peterburs demonstrated extraordinary leadership during his final mission in World War IL At only the young age of nineteen, he dove his P-51 Mustang into a sky filled with chaos, fire, and steel to defend vulnerable bombers from German jets, fully aware that doing so might cost him his life. (Peterburs.com) Flames trailed across the horizon, ammunition split the air, and yet he pressed forward, refusing to abandon the country that relied on him. That act of courage was not about rank, medals, or recognition; it was about protecting others in the face of overwhelming danger. Before learning his story, I believed leadership was simply guiding people toward success, offering direction, and ensuring a team reached its goals. But his sacrifice showed me something far deeper: that leadership is defined by selflessness, responsibility. and the courage to act no matter the consequences.
Colonel Peterburs embodied service not only through combat but throughout his entire life. What makes his devotion even more extraordinary is how it began. Before the war, he was preparing to become a Catholic priest, planning a quiet ]ife of study and faith in the seminary. But when the bombs fell on Pearl Harbor, everything changed. In his own words, “At that time I knew I would be leaving the seminary and joining the service alongside my military family.” That choice not only shaped his service but also his life, leading him to the woman who became his wife. After surviving being shot down and becoming a POW ofWW2, he returned to the skies and went on to serve his country for 36 years, through both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His unwavering commitment showed that loyalty is not a single act, but a lifelong devotion. I witnessed this same spirit on the Soaring Valor trip, where instead of remaining silent, he chose to share his story with students like me. In doing so, he continued serving, not with a plane, but with wisdom. His example inspires me to envision my own future of service, both as an anesthesiologist in the Air Force and as a leader in my community and JROTC.
Colonel Peterburs’s life is a testament to resilience in its truest form. He faced challenges most of us can hardly imagine: flying into combat at nineteen, surviving the terror of being shot down, enduring capture as a prisoner of war, and carrying the invisible scars that followed him long after the fighting ended. War left wounds that no medal could erase, yet he continued forward with strength and dignity, serving his country for decades more. What strikes me most is that his resilience was not just physical, but emotional. Throughout the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Soaring Valor trip, he chose to relive those memories by walking through the WWII museum and sharing his story with us. That takes a kind of courage beyond the battlefield, choosing to transform pain into purpose. His example changed how I see challenges in my own life: as moments to persist, to bounce back, and to find meaning even in hardship.
“She has a different perspective on her life and what she can do to make the world a better place. We’re best friends now.” Those were some of the last words Colonel Peterburs shared with the Gary Sinise Foundation camera crew, and they have stayed with me ever since. He was right, he did change my perspective. Hearing his story, I came to understand that true leadership is not measured in titles or victories, but in the courage to shoulder sacrifice for others. His lifetime of service revealed that devotion is not a single act, but a calling that can span generations, shaping lives far beyond one’s own. And his resilience, choosing to reopen the hardest chapters of his past so that young people like me might learn, showed me that strength is not just surviving hardship, but transforming it into purpose. This trip gave me more than history; it gave me a responsibility to lead, serve, and live with resilience.
Olivia Buehler
Grand Winner, Middle School level
“How Does James Adams’ Service and Sacrifice Inspire Me?” by Adore Adams:
What does it mean to risk your life for people in the world you don’t know? For James Adams, a steadfast veteran who served for 16 years as a Sergeant First Class, it was for helping those in need, even if they were strangers. This kind of sacrifice is motivated by a sense of justice, compassion, or a recognition of shared humanity. I came to recognize not only the profound impact of his service but also the values it instills in those of us who learn about it. James served in the armed forces, where he faced numerous challenges on the front lines while showcasing an unwavering commitment to his duties. His journey inspires me by reminding me of the importance of courage in the face of adversity and the true essence of duty. Still, they also inspire me to embody resilience, empathy, and a sense of loyalty towards others in my own life.
One thing I learned about James Adams’ service is the incredible bravery he displayed while serving in the armed forces. His dedication to helping those in need, even in the face of danger, highlights the essence of true heroism. This inspired me because it shows that serving others requires not only physical strength but also an unwavering resolve and compassion. The challenges he faced while on the front lines, including making quick decisions under pressure, resonate with my own experiences in academics, where I must navigate difficult situations and maintain focus. Just as James led his fellow soldiers with determination, I strive to lead project teams in my community service initiatives, approaching each task with the same dedication and sense of responsibility he exhibited. His story motivates me to embrace challenges and to seek ways to support others around me, whether in school or within my community.
What inspires me most about James Adams is his incredible ability to transform obstacles into stepping stones for growth. His journey underscores the importance of perseverance and the strength that comes from facing challenges directly. Because of this, I will strive to approach my own challenges with a similar mindset, viewing them not as setbacks but as valuable experiences that can help me grow and develop. This perspective will shape my choices by encouraging me to take on new opportunities and set ambitious goals, while maintaining a resilient spirit in the face of adversity. I want to embrace each challenge as a chance to learn and improve, just as James did throughout his service. His story is not just one of inspiration but also a reminder of the enduring values of honor and commitment that we can instill in our own lives.
I believe it’s vital to acknowledge the impact that veterans like James Adams have on our communities. The most important lesson I’ve learned from his journey is the significance of honoring those who have served us by engaging in acts of kindness and support. As I reflect on their sacrifices, I am inspired to actively foster a culture of empathy in my own life. Together, we can create meaningful change and build a brighter future, reminding ourselves that our strength lies in our ability to uplift and care for one another. I am determined to carry forward their legacy of compassion and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Adore Adams