The Westerville Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7783 is accepting submissions for the national VFW youth programs as well as nominations for teachers who promote civic responsibility and patriotism.
The youth programs include:
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Voice of Democracy, the VFW’s premier scholarship program where high school students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. Each year, nearly 64,500 students in grades 9-12 from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. The national first-place winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship to be paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $16,000 with the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000. Rules and eligibility requirements for the Voice of Democracy program can be found here. Download the entry form here. The theme for the 2021-22 year is, “America: Where Do We Go From Here?”
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Patriot's Pen, an essay contest for students in grades 6-8 where they can earn win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives at least $500 and the national first-place winner wins $5,000. Rules and eligibility requirements for the Patriot’s Pen program can be found here. Download the entry form here. The 2021-22 theme is “How Can I Be a Good American?”
Each school can nominate an elementary, middle school and high school teacher for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program, which recognizes educators who promote civic responsibility, foster the development of democratic values through special projects and organize community volunteer projects.
Rules and eligibility requirements can be found here. The 2021 entry form to nominate a teacher can be found here.
All submissions must arrive at the Westerville VFW Post 7783 by Oct. 31. They can be mailed to:
VFW Post 7883
Attn: VOD/PATS PEN
393 E. College Ave
Westerville, OH 43081
Submissions postmarked on that date will not count as the selection committee will process essays on Nov. 1.