NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
Voice of Democracy
DEADLINE:
31 Oct 2024
Voice of Democracy
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, more than 51,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.9 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download the 2024-25 entry form application, as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31.
YOU TOO CAN WIN $30,000!
WHO CAN ENTER
The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12 (on the 31 Oct deadline), who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.
The 2024-25 theme is: “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?”
Students should record their reading of the draft to an audio CD or flash drive. The recording can be no shorter than three minutes and no longer than five minutes (plus or minus five seconds).
Entries begin at the Post level. Once the student creates their essay and completes burning the audio version to an audio CD/flash drive, they can submit their typed version, CD/flash drive and the Voice of Democracy entry form to VFW Post 7110 by the October 31 deadline.
HOW TO ENTER
Contact VFW Post 7110 for additional assistance and a copy of the entry form.
Telephone: (830) 625-9961
Email: [email protected]
JUDGING CRITERIA
Originality is worth 30 points: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. Content is worth 35 points: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the other.
Delivery is worth 35 points: Speak in a clear and credible manner
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR MY ENTRY?
All entries competing at the Post level must be in the hands of that VFW Post by midnight, October 31th . It is the responsibility of the student to meet this deadline by submitting their entry to the proper location.
Patriot Pen - DEADLINE: 31 Oct 2024
PATRIOT’S PEN
Each year more than 138,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $900,000 in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download the 2024-25 entry form application as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31.
YOU TOO CAN WIN!
WHO CAN ENTER: The Patriot’s Pen program is open to students in grades 6-8 (on the 31 Oct. deadline), who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial school or home study program in the United States and its territories.
HOW TO ENTER:
Contact VFW Post 7110 for additional assistance and a copy of the entry form.
Telephone: (830) 625-9961
Email: [email protected]
The 2024-25 theme is: “My Voice in America’s Democracy?”
Students can ask a teacher or youth group leader to supervise their progress in the competition. Then students can contact VFW Post 7110 and establish a contact person who is a member of that Post or Auxiliary.
Deadline: — The completed essay and entry form must be in the hands of the VFW Post Chairman by midnight Oct 31
JUDGING CRITERIA:
Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points. You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively. Theme development is worth 35 points. Answer all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. Clarity of ideas is worth 35 points. Write your essay in an easy-to understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
WHAT ARE THE RULES?
In no way may contestants identify themselves in their essay. Do not put your name on your essay. The entry form is your essay’s cover sheet. Secure the Official Student Entry Form with a staple or other fastener on top of your essay. Essays must be written exclusively for this competition. Use of the same essay for other competitions will result in disqualification. Contestants are allowed to enter only once (one Post competition). Contestants found in violation of this rule will face elimination from the competition and will be required to return any and all prize money awarded or received.
The essay must be a contestant’s original work and a product of the contestant’s own thinking. The approach to the Patriot’s Pen theme should be positive and clearly focused. Poetry is not acceptable. Quotations may be used sparingly if plainly identified wherever used. A contestant’s teacher, counselor or parent may check the essay for punctuation, grammar and/or spelling, but the content must remain the contestant’s. Contestants will be judged on the basis of their essay alone and are not required to present the essay orally. All essays become the property of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW retains non-exclusive rights to use your essay and likeness in the promotion and execution of the organization’s programs and activities.
Each year more than 138,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $900,000 in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download the 2024-25 entry form application as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31.
YOU TOO CAN WIN!
WHO CAN ENTER: The Patriot’s Pen program is open to students in grades 6-8 (on the 31 Oct. deadline), who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial school or home study program in the United States and its territories.
HOW TO ENTER:
Contact VFW Post 7110 for additional assistance and a copy of the entry form.
Telephone: (830) 625-9961
Email: [email protected]
The 2024-25 theme is: “My Voice in America’s Democracy?”
Students can ask a teacher or youth group leader to supervise their progress in the competition. Then students can contact VFW Post 7110 and establish a contact person who is a member of that Post or Auxiliary.
Deadline: — The completed essay and entry form must be in the hands of the VFW Post Chairman by midnight Oct 31
JUDGING CRITERIA:
Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points. You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively. Theme development is worth 35 points. Answer all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. Clarity of ideas is worth 35 points. Write your essay in an easy-to understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
WHAT ARE THE RULES?
- Essay length: 300-400 typewritten words.
- You must write your own essay.
- All essays should be typewritten in English with no color or graphics and cannot be less than 300 words or greater than 400 words in length. (Essays under or over these word amounts will be eliminated.) Every word is counted regardless of length. The essay title (theme) or added footnotes do not contribute to the word count.
In no way may contestants identify themselves in their essay. Do not put your name on your essay. The entry form is your essay’s cover sheet. Secure the Official Student Entry Form with a staple or other fastener on top of your essay. Essays must be written exclusively for this competition. Use of the same essay for other competitions will result in disqualification. Contestants are allowed to enter only once (one Post competition). Contestants found in violation of this rule will face elimination from the competition and will be required to return any and all prize money awarded or received.
The essay must be a contestant’s original work and a product of the contestant’s own thinking. The approach to the Patriot’s Pen theme should be positive and clearly focused. Poetry is not acceptable. Quotations may be used sparingly if plainly identified wherever used. A contestant’s teacher, counselor or parent may check the essay for punctuation, grammar and/or spelling, but the content must remain the contestant’s. Contestants will be judged on the basis of their essay alone and are not required to present the essay orally. All essays become the property of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW retains non-exclusive rights to use your essay and likeness in the promotion and execution of the organization’s programs and activities.
