Sep. 12—The Veterans of Foreign Wars is kicking off this year’s Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition, offering local students the chance to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.
To enter the Patriot’s Pen Scholarship, sixth- through eighth-grade students must submit an original essay of 300-400 words. For the Voice of Democracy Scholarship, students in grades 9-12 must write and record a three-to-five-minute essay. Students can use an audio CD or flash drive and present their recording (for VOD), typed essay and completed entry form to VFW Post 1260 by Oct. 31.
This year’s theme for both areas is, “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?”
Students begin by competing at the local Post level, then Post winners compete at the district level with the winner advancing to the state competition, a release said.
All state first-place winners receive a four-day trip to Washington, D.C., and the chance to compete for their share of more than $150,000 in scholarships. The first-place winner of the Voice of Democracy Scholarship receives a $35,000 college scholarship and the first-place winner of the Patriots Pen Scholarship receives a $5,000 scholarship.
The National Association of Broadcasters started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961.
The competition was created to provide students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles.
Around 40,000 students participate in the competition each year and VFW awards more than $2.1 million in educational scholarships every year.
Scholarship applications are due by Oct. 31. Applications and more information can be found at
www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.
Applicants can bring their recording (for Voice of Democracy), typed essay and completed entry form to VFW Post 1260.
Students can also create a Scholars App account and submit their essays to the Post. The web address to begin the process for Patriots Pen is
bit.ly/4ntXa5m
and the address for Voice of Democracy is
bit.ly/4lvEjoD.
With questions, students and teachers should contact the Voice of Democracy Chairperson Curtis Anderson at VFW Post 1260 by phone at
(502) 263-9802
or email the Post at