Essay Entry Forms

By Martyna Flores, asst. editor

     The Veterans of Federal War organization is holding two essay contests for students in grades 6-12. Students in sixth through eighth grade can participate in a written essay contest called “Patriot’s Pen.” High school students in grades 9-12 have a scholarship opportunity in an audio essay “Voice of Democracy.” Students have the opportunity to win four levels – post, district, state, and national.

     Every year, about 26,000 high school students participate in the Voice of Democracy program to win over two million dollars in scholarships. This year the VFW offers an audio essay with a national grand prize of $35,000 in tuition. Students will submit a three to five minute audio essay along with the typed form and completed entry form to their school or VFW Post by midnight Oct. 31. The essay prompt this year is “How Are You Showing Patriotism for Our Country?”

     The VFW’s Patriot’s Pen essay is a written essay for middle school students. Roughly 60,600 students compete yearly to win their share of $1 million; winning first place for your state gets you a prize of $500 or more, and the national first place winner wins $5,000. Using the same prompt as the Voice of Democracy essay, students should use their knowledge of American history and modern experiences to write a 300-400 word essay. Essays should be turned in to your local VFW post by midnight Oct. 31.

For more information, go to https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.