vfw essay competition

VFW Auxiliary | Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes®

• Annual VFW Youth Scholarship Competitions Now Open

Annual VFW Youth Scholarship Competitions Now Open Students compete for their take on more than $3.3 million in scholarships and awards

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 30, 2017) – The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is now accepting entries into its 2017-18 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions. The announcement comes after students from across the globe recently took home their share of more than $3.3 million in scholarships and awards from last year’s competitions.

The VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions are dedicated to encouraging a better understanding and appreciation of America, and to help foster patriotism among today’s youth. Students are required to submit an oral or written essay in response to a question or statement on a subject which prompts them to consider how American history and democratic ideals and principles apply to their lives.

This year’s Voice of Democracy theme asks high school students to describe, “American History: Our Hope for the Future.” Voice of Democracy is an audio-essay competition open to students in grades 9-12. The national winner is presented the $30,000, T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship award. More than 46,000 high school students competed in last year’s competition.

The Patriot’s Pen writing competition is open to students in grades 6-8. This year, students are asked to reflect on the statement, “America’s Gift to My Generation.” The national winner will receive a $5,000 award. More than 122,000 middle and junior high school students competed in last year’s competition. Both national awards will be presented during the 2018 VFW Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., in March.

Student participants are asked to submit their entry (along with a completed entry form) to their local participating VFW Post. The deadline for student entries in both contests is October 31, 2017.

Find your local VFW Post , or read more about the contests .

ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans’ organization. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With nearly 1.7 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in more than 6,500 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans’ service organization is proud to proclaim “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at www.vfw.org .

YOUTH ESSAYS

Youth Scholarships

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $35,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

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, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

The national first place winner receives a $35,000 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-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, download the  2024-2025 entry form here  and find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2024-25 theme is:  "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"

About the 2023-2024 winner ...

Sophia Lin, a high school junior at BASIS Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, was named the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy first place winner. Sophia's speech on the theme, "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?" won her a $35,000 college scholarship. Sophia was sponsored by Scottsdale VFW Post 3513.  Watch as Sophia delivered her speech during the VFW's Parade of Winners award  ceremony or  read it here .

Want to catch up on everything that happened this year? You can watch the full  Parade of Winners ceremony  which was streamed live on Facebook, or  see this year's complete list of winners .

Patriot's Pen

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s  Patriot’s Pen  youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million 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! 

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. Before submitting your essay,  download the 2024-2025 entry form here  and  find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2024-25 theme is:  "My Voice in America's Democracy?"

Bryant Day, an eighth grade student from Ashland, Ohio, was named the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen first place winner. His essay on the theme, "How Are You Inspired by America?" won the national first place $5,000 award. Bryant was sponsored by VFW Post 9943 and its Auxiliary in Mansfield, Ohio.

Watch as Bryant delivered his winning essay  during the VFW's Parade of Winners streamed live on Facebook, or  read  his essay here.  See the complete list of 2024 national winners .

Address 5213 Pacific Highway East Fife, WA 98424 Contact Us via Email Phone: 253-922-2114 Fax: 253-922-2208

M:  8AM - 4PM T:  8AM - 4PM W:  8AM - 4PM Th:  8AM - 4PM F:  8AM - 4PM Sat:  Closed Sun:  Closed Veteran Service Officer Hours   M- Appointment only 7AM-4PM Tu- Walk-in 9AM-2PM W- Appointment only 7AM-4PM Th- Walk-in 9AM-2PM F-( Admin Day ) 7AM-4PM Sat Closed Sun Closed

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

VFW Post 8870 and Auxiliary

Veterans of Foreign Wars – Edmonds, Snohomish County, Washington State

• Current Officers
• Our Supporters
• Meeting Archive
• Scholarships
• Student Essay
• Teacher of the Year
• Current Issue
• Past Newsletter Articles
• Military Funeral Honors
• Useful Links
• Veterans Plaza

Post Recognizes Local Winners of National VFW Essay Contests

VFW Post 8870 and Auxiliary > News > Post Recognizes Local Winners of National VFW Essay Contests

Author: Editor February 10, 2017

News , Newsletter Articles

National VFW Essay Contests , patriots pen , vfw essay contest , voice of democracy , youth essay

At the January Post meeting, we recognized several local students as winners in the annual National VFW Essay contest. One of those honored, Edmonds-Woodway High School student Olivia Olsen, won first place for the third year in a row.

The theme for this year’s Youth Essay contest for grades 4 and 5 was “Why Are Men and Women Who Serve in the Military Special?” Winners were Finley Gonzales, a 4th grade student at Endeavour Elementary School and Margaret Moon, a 5th grade student at Mukilteo Elementary School. Runners up at this grade level who also attend Mukilteo Elementary School were Joel Brannon, Abbey Summerville, and Audrey Stewart. Two 5th graders, Trevor Coble and Ethan Jacobsen, who attend Brier Elementary School, were also selected as runners-up. Margaret was presented with a $100 scholarship from the Post, and each runner up received a $25 scholarship.

This contest is open for Middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8, and the theme this year was “The America I Believe In.” The winning entry was submitted by Mohuwa Wahid, of Explorer Middle School. Mohuwa follows her sister, Lara, previously a two-time winner in this competition. She received a $100 scholarship. Sara Hatab of Olympic View Middle School was named runner-up. She received a $25 scholarship.

Edmonds-Woodway 11th grader Olivia Olsen garnered 1st place honors and a $100 scholarship in the Voice of Democracy contest. This essay contest is open to high school students in grades 9-12. While the Youth Essay and Patriot’s Pen competition requires a written essay, the Voice of Democracy competition requires the submission of an audio essay. This year’s topic was “My Responsibility to America.” Lara Wahid, a 9th grade student at Kamiak High School was awarded runner-up honors.

Each of the students who won their respective contests, read their essays to the nearly 80 parents, family members, and VFW members who were in attendance at the Jan. 10 meeting.

The post’s student essay competition is coordinated by Fred Apgar who also serves as post chaplain. The winning entries have been forwarded to Washington State VFW for consideration at the district and state levels.

← Previous post

Next post →

PATRIOTS PEN/VOD

2024-2025 

Voice of Democracy

"Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision ?" Application

Student Entry Deadline: October 31, 2024

Patriotic Audio Essay Competition Grand Prize: $35,000 Award 

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with an unique opportunity to express themselves in a democratic and patriotic themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 80,000 High School students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships.

Record your original 3-5 minute audio essay on a flash drive or on other electronic device. You will submit the recording, a typed essay and send the completed entry form to your local participating post.

Patriot's Pen

"My Voice In America's Democracy" Application

 Student Entry Deadline: October 31, 2024

Patriotic Written Essay Competition Grand Prize: $5,000 Award

Each year, more than 84,000 students participate in the VFW Patriots Pen contest expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. Students from the 6th, 7th and 8th grade submit an essay 300-400 words in length.  Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in National awards.

You will submit the typed essay (no colors or graphics) and the completed entry form to your local participating post.

Address 69 Sand Creek Road Albany, NY 12205 Contact Us via Email Phone: 518-463-7427 Fax: 518-426-8904

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

• Join Our Email List!

Winners of the VFW Essay Contests Announced

Community March 23, 2023 Staff 0

Connor Wiik took first place in the Voice of Democracy essay contest sponsored by Milbank VFW Post 3486 and VFW Auxiliary 3486. Alyssa Feather was the second-place winner. Lilly Dreis penned the third-place essay. “Why is the Veteran Important?” was the theme for 2023.

Wiik’s essay advanced to the district level with the potential to continue on to the state level. The state winner received an all-expenses paid trip to the national event in Washington, D.C. Scotland Stewart, a sophomore at Franklin County High School in Winchester, Tennessee, was selected as the national first-place winner and received a $35,000 scholarship. The second-place winner, Siri Corson, a junior at Fillmore Central High School in Harmony, Minnesota, was awarded the $21,000 Charles Kuralt Memorial Scholarship.

Addison Brown was the author of the winning essay in the local Patriot’s Pen contest designed for sixth through eighth graders. This year, students submitted essays on the theme “My Pledge to Our Veterans.”

Ryland Wendland earned second place. Andrew Karels was named third. All are seventh graders. Honorable mention awards went to Keaton Johnson, also a seventh grader, and Kylynn Schwandt, a sixth grader.

All of Milbank’s top essays in the Patriot’s Pen division advanced to the district competition. The district winners continued on to the state contest, and the state winner received an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. Leighton Peters, a seventh grader from Rice lake, Wisconsin, was chosen as the national winner. She received a $5000 scholarship for her essay. The Patriot’s Pen second place winner, Nolan Green, of Monticello, Minnesota,  received a $4,000 award. 

Locally, the top three places in each of the contests received a medal, a certificate, and a monetary prize. Honorable mentions received a certificate and a monetary prize.

Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign War’s (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. Nationally, over $2 million are awarded in educational scholarships and incentives through this program.  

Winners of the 2022-2023 Voice of Democracy for the Milbank area include: 1st Place:  Connor Wiik, 2nd Place: Alyssa Feather, 3rd Place: Lilly Dreis 

Winners of the 2022-2023 Patriot’s Pen for the Milbank area include:   1st Place: Addison Brown (7th grader), 2nd Place: Rylan Wendland (7th grader), 3rd Place:  Andrew Karels (7th grader), Honorable Mentions: Keaton Johnson (7th grader) and Kylynn Schwandt (6th grader)

Submitted Photos: Top- Connor Wiik and Lilly Dreis. Bottom Photo-back row left to right, Keaton Johnson, Kylynn Schwandt. Front row, Addison Brown, Rylan Wendland and Andrew Karels.

No comments so far.

Be first to leave comment below.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Post comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

VFW announces kick-off of annual $5,000 patriotic essay writing competition

Middle School Student Wins District VFW Essay Contest

• 10 years ago

Randolph-Macon Academy sixth grade student John Mark Secrist has won first place at the district level in the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Patriot Pen Essay contest. The district includes all public and private middle schools and homeschoolers in Winchester, Front Royal, Berryville, Luray, Edinburg, Elkton, Shenandoah, and Timberville. 

Secrist, who is from nearby Winchester, VA, had earned the right to compete at the district level based on his third-place win in Front Royal earlier in the competition. Randolph-Macon Academy eighth grader Kimberly Pitts from Silver Spring, MD, was the second place winner from Front Royal VFW Post 1860.

Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), founded in 1892, is a college-preparatory, coeducational day and boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12. Students in grades 9-12 participate in R-MA’s 91st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and have the option to participate in a unique flight program . The Middle School , for grades 6-8, offers a traditional seven-day boarding program for all students and a five-day boarding program for students within a 150-mile radius of the campus. R-MA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is located in Front Royal, VA.

Subscribe to our newsletter

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS Randolph-Macon Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Lafayette Student Takes Top Prize in National VFW Essay Competition

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  (April 7, 2022)  – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is pleased to announce Syed Ali, an eighth grade student from Lafayette, Louisiana, has been named the national first place winner and recipient of a $5,000 award in its 2021-2022 Patriot's Pen essay contest. Ali, who was sponsored by New Iberia, Louisiana, VFW Post 1982,  wrote his winning essay based on this year’s theme,  "How Can I Be a Good American?”

As the national first place winner, Ali was presented with his award during tonight’s virtual Parade of Winners award ceremony which was hosted live on Facebook.

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Address 10185 Mammoth Baton Rouge, LA 70814 Contact Us via Email Phone: 225.925.5025

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.

Información en español

Celebrating 75 Years! Learn More >>

• Science News
• Meetings and Events
• Social Media
• Press Resources
• Email Updates
• Innovation Speaker Series

NIH Announces Winners of 2023-2024 High School Mental Health Essay Contest

May 31, 2024 • Institute Update

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is pleased to announce the winners of the  2024 Speaking Up About Mental Health    essay contest. Out of more than 370 submissions across 33 states, NIH awarded 24 youth (ages 16-18) finalists with gold, silver, bronze, and honorable mention prizes.

Supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, and the  Eunice Kennedy Shriver  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the essay contest invited youth to address mental health and reduce mental health stigma that young people may face when seeking mental health treatment.

The winning essays addressed complicated topics such as stigma, trauma, resilience, equity, anxiety, and more. Teens also wrote about specific ideas for improving well-being, such as broader access to leisure sports, reducing time spent on social media, and normalizing mental health treatment and care.

NIH awarded a total of $15,000 in cash prizes to gold, silver, bronze, and honorable mention recipients. Read the winning essays at  nimhd.nih.gov/EssayContest   .

Gold winners

• Max, California - Tenacity Through Tumultuousness
• Michaela, Maryland - Exposing the Impact of Social Media on Teenage Mental Health: A Journey of Self-Discovery
• Raphael, Hawaii  - Let's CHAT: Mental Health Impact on Teens Living with Speech Challenges

Silver winners

• Aditi, California – Embracing Authenticity
• Anna, New York - Change Our Approach: How Sports Can Play a Role in Mental Health
• Ciniyah, Illinois - The Roots Affect the Fruit: A Personal Journey of Trauma to Triumph
• Kathleen, Maryland - Behind A Perfect Life
• Paige, Texas - Learn to Live and Accept Your Journey
• Rylie, Maryland - Drowning in Plain Sight

Bronze winners

• Argiro, Pennsylvania - Out in the Open: A Conversation about Mental Health
• Dresden, Maryland - Normalize the Care to Destigmatize the Conditions
• Gabriel, New Jersey - Keeping My Head Up: My Experience with Dad's Brain Cancer
• Hailey, Arkansas - Access for Adolescent Athletes
• Jordan, New Jersey - A Weighted Wait
• Kathryne, North Carolina - Embracing Openness: Unveiling Silent Struggles Surrounding Mental Health
• Maya, Maryland - Speaking up for Change
• Rachel, California - Embracing the Journey Towards Mental Health Acceptance
• Savannah, New Jersey - Taking a Step Today, for a Better Tomorrow

Honorable mentions

• Agaana, Maryland – Accountability for Authority: The Responsibilities of Schools
• Gisele, Pennsylvania - Breaking the Silence
• Jillian, Illinois - Navigating Mental Illness in Teens
• Kyle, North Carolina - How the Neglect of Mental Health Within Black Communities Causes Underlying Issues
• Mason, Maryland - Social Media as a Possible Method to Reduce Mental Health Stigma
• Minsung, Georgia - Hope to Bridge the Gap

If you are in crisis and need immediate help, call or text the  988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline     at  988  (para ayuda en español, llame al 988) to connect with a trained crisis counselor. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline using their preferred relay service or by dialing 711 and then 988.

Member Login

Forgot username or password?

Are you a new user, what is id.me • video tutorials for id.me.

2022 Virtual Parade of Winners

Join us April 1 at 7 p.m. CDT for the 2022 virtual Parade of Winners and see who takes home the top $30,000 prize!

• Media & Events
• VFW Legislative Conference

Every year, nearly 230,000 of our nation's youth compete in the VFW's Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen audio essay competitions for their chance to win a portion of more than $3 million in college scholarships and awards.

The competitions culminate with the Parade of Winners event, designed to celebrate and recognize the contests’ top national winners. 

This year, the VFW will host its annual Parade of Winners virtually on April 7 at 7 p.m. CDT, live on Facebook. B e sure to tap “interested,” then “going” on the Facebook event to ensure you stay up-to-date and receive all event notifications. To listen to the winning essay from your state, click here . 

During the historic event, VFW and VFW Auxiliary state and national leadership, representatives from program sponsors Twisted X , and this year’s 52 Voice of Democracy Department (state) winners will come together from all over the world as we crown the 2022 national Voice of Democracy first place winner.

Open to eligible middle and high school students, the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions require students submit an essay based on a selected patriotic theme. Winning entries selected by local VFW Posts go on to compete at their District and Department (state) level, with state winners competing at the national level.

The Voice of Democracy top prize is the $30,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship, and the Patriot’s Pen grand prize winner receives the $5,000 Paul A. Spera Past Commander-in-Chief Award.

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, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

The national first place winner receives a $35,000 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-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, download the  2024-2025 entry form here  and find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2024-25 theme is:  "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"

About the 2023-2024 winner ...

Sophia Lin, a high school junior at BASIS Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, was named the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy first place winner. Sophia's speech on the theme, "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?" won her a $35,000 college scholarship. Sophia was sponsored by Scottsdale VFW Post 3513. Watch as Sophia delivered her speech during the VFW's Parade of Winners award  ceremony or read it here .

Want to catch up on everything that happened this year? You can watch the full Parade of Winners ceremony which was streamed live on Facebook, or see this year's complete list of winners .

Patriot's Pen

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million 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! 

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. Before submitting your essay,  download the 2024-2025 entry form here  and find your sponsoring local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2024-25 theme is:  "My Voice in America's Democracy?"

Bryant Day, an eighth grade student from Ashland, Ohio, was named the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen first place winner. His essay on the theme, "How Are You Inspired by America?" won the national first place $5,000 award. Bryant was sponsored by VFW Post 9943 and its Auxiliary in Mansfield, Ohio.

Watch as Bryant delivered his winning essay during the VFW's Parade of Winners streamed live on Facebook, or read  his essay here.  See the complete list of 2024 national winners .

Find Out More

Patriot's Pen

Vfw in the community.