High School Voice of Democracy and Middle School Patriot Pen Contest now Accepting Submissions.

Middletown Post 1840 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is seeking entries for the annual High School Voice of Democracy and Middle School Patriot Pen Contests.

The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.

Students should first draft their essay based on the 2012-2013 theme: "Is Our Constitution Still Relevant?" Students should then record their reading of the draft to a CD.  The recording should be no shorter than 3 minutes and no longer than 5 minutes (plus or minus 5 seconds).
Entries begin at the Post level. Once the student has created their essay and completed burning the audio version to a CD, they should submit their typed version, CD and the Voice of Democracy entry form to their local participating VFW Post no later than November 1, 2012.  Access Entry Form and Complete Contest Rules Here.

JUDGING CRITERIA:
Originality: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest
Content: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the other.
Delivery:  Speak in a clear and credible manner.

Contest Information is available at http://www.vfw.org/Community/Voice-of-Democracy/, your local VFW post, or contact Ken McClellan, VFW Post 1840, 58 Bernie O’Rourke Drive, Middletown, CT 06457, or by return email.

The Patriot's Pen program is open to students in grades 6-8, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.

HOW TO ENTER:
Students should first ask a teacher or youth group leader to supervise their progress in the competition. Then the student should contact a local participating VFW Post and establish a contact person who is a member of that Post or its Ladies Auxiliary.

Next, it's time to start drafting considering the 2012-2013 theme: "What I Would Tell America’s Founding Fathers." Essays must be no less than 300 words and should not exceed 400 words and should be submitted to the Post, along with the completed Patriot's Pen entry form no later than November 1, 2012.Access Entry Form and Complete Contest Rules Here.

Knowledge of the theme: You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively.

Theme development: Answer all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. 
Clarity of ideas: Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
Contest information is available at http://www.vfw.org/Community/Patriot-s-Pen/, your local VFW post, or contact Ken McClellan, VFW Post 1840, 58 Bernie O’Rourke Drive, Middletown, CT 06457, or by return email.