VFW YOUTH ESSAY CONTESTS

— Patriot’s Pen essay contest

Commander Howard Schuettpelz of VFW Post 8109 announced the kick-off for this year’s VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary Patriot’s Pen essay contest.

Patriot’s Pen, a youth essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ contest criteria, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades six, seven and eight the opportunity to write essays expressing their opinions based on an annual theme.

The theme for 2010-2011 is “Does patriotism still matter?”

Contestants submit a 300-400 word essay based on the year’s theme. The first place winner will receive a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The top national winners will each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.

To enter, submit the required entry form along with the essay to Post 8109. Contest deadline is Nov. 1. For more information, call Schuettpelz 619-8799 or auxiliary president Virginia Hance at 631-7641.

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Voice of Democracy Scholarship contest

Created in 1947, the Voice of Democracy scholarship program is an audio essay contest for high school students in grades nine to 12 that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The first place winner, who competes with all the first place VFW Department (state) winners, will receive a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’sAmerican university, college or vocational/technical school.

Besides competing for the top prize, as well as other national scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $16,000, each department’s first place winner receives an all-expensepaid trip to Washington D.C., sponsored by Target.

The VOD program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ contest criteria and is designed to foster patriotism by allowing studentsthe opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.

The theme for the 2010-2011 contest is “Does my generation have a role in America’s future?”

To enter, submit the required entry form along with the essay to Post 8109.

Contest deadline is Nov. 1.

For more information, call Schuettpelz 619-8799 or auxiliary president Virginia Hance at 631-7641.

School, Pages 11 on 10/20/2010