Patriot's Pen
The 2024-25 theme is:
"My Voice in America's Democracy?"
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, read the rules and eligibility requirements, contact your sponsor at VFW Post 8874, as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.
Download and complete the 2024-2025 entry form here.
Our local post scholarship for each is $200 however, the student has an opportunity to compete for more. Los Alamos has always done significantly well in the state competition which also provides a scholarship amount.
Contact:
Corina Gonzales
Quartermaster
VFW Post 8874
505-913-0713
or email vfwpost8874@gmail.com
Voice of Democracy
The 2024-25 theme is:
"Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"
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, read the rules and eligibility requirements, and contact your sponsor at VFW Post 8874, as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.
Download and complete the 2024-2025 Voice of Democracy entry form here.
Our local post scholarship for each is $200 however, the student has an opportunity to compete for more. Los Alamos has always done significantly well in the state competition which also provides a scholarship amount.
Contact:
Corina Gonzales
Quartermaster
VFW Post 8874
505-913-0713
or email vfwpost8874@gmail.com