WRITING CONTESTS

VFW Patriot’s Pen

This year’s theme for the Patriot’s Pen is, “Are you proud of your country?” This youth essay competition, gives students the opportunity to express their views on democracy, with the prospect of winning U.S. Savings Bonds. The top 46 national winners will receive at least a $1,000 savings bond. The firstplace award is currently a $10,000 savings bond plus an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the winner and a parent. The completed essay and entry form must be in the hands of the VFW Post Chairman by midnight Nov. 1, 2011.

For information, call Howard Schuettpelz, post commander of VFW Post 8109, Pea Ridge, at 619-8799.

VFW Voice of Democracy Program

The theme for this year’s Voice of Democracy Program is, “Is there pride in serving in our military?” This is open to students grades 9-12. Students compete by writing and recording a broadcast script. Prizes and scholarships are awarded at the local, district, state and national level. Deadline for entries is midnight, Nov. 1, 2011.

For information, and full description of either contest, call Howard Schuettpelz, post commander of VFW Post 8109, Pea Ridge, at 619-8799.

Rainbow Poets

MT. VERNON, IN.

• This poetry contest is free to enter and open to poets of any age. Fifty prizes totaling more than $5,000 will be awarded, and a $1,000 grand prize is being offered to the last poet standing in the contest. Poems of 21 lines or fewer, on any subject and in any style, will be judged by the contest director Michael Thomas. Entries must be received by Friday, Sept. 30, and may be submitted by mail to FreePoetry Contest, 7308 Heritage Dr., Mt. Vernon, IN 47620, or online at www.

rainbowpoets.com. Those sending entries should include their name and address on the same page as the poem.

For a winner’s list please enclose a stamped return envelope. For information, contact Michael Thomas at [email protected].