VFW Seeking Entries For Scholarship Contests

From Ken McClellan, Scholarship Coordinator VFW Post 1840
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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.

Created in 1947, the Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12 that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The first-place winner, who competes with all the first-place VFW Department winners, will receive a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. VFW youth-essay contests are endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In addition to the top scholarship prize, other national top finishers are awarded scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $16,000. Each state first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

The theme for the Voice of Democracy this year is: "Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military?" Entries must be submitted as an audio recording, preferably a CD. The essay should at least 3 minutes and no longer than 5 minutes.

An entry packet of the Voice of Democracy Entry form, the audio CD and a typed copy of the essay must be submitted to the local VFW Post not later than November 1, 2011. Entries will be judged on originality, content and delivery.

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.

The 2012 theme is: "Are You Proud of Your Country?" Essays must be no less than 300 words and should not exceed 400 words. An entry packet of the Patriot Pen Entry form and a typed essay must be submitted to the local VFW Post not later than November 1, 2011. Entries will be judged on knowledge of the theme, theme development and clarity of ideas.

Patriot Pen, a youth-essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on a patriotic theme, which is judged on its’ originality, skill in examples and descriptions, logic and grammar. The first-place national winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top national finishers each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate in the contest. All middle school students, 6th through 8th grade, are eligible to participate in the contest, hosted by local VFW Posts.

For more information about the contest, students or teachers should contact their local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, the VFW website (www.vfw.org). On the website, select Community, then programs from the menu bar. Information about the contest, videos of previous winners and entry forms are available on the web-site. Or, contact VFW Post 1840 Contest Chairman, Ken McClellan, (860) 346-4876 for information.