Scholarship Deadlines: Voice of Democracy-November 1 Patriots' Pen Youth Essay-November 1 (Click on appropriate link to find out more about each program.) Every year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition and the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest, garnering more than $3.4 million in scholarships and incentives. In addition to VFW's outstanding scholarship programs, Posts and Auxiliaries across the nation work with youth in scouting, sports, ROTC and military cadet programs. By providing leaders, funding, sponsorships and other resources, the VFW and its Auxiliaries encourage millions of America's young adults to higher ideals and greater personal achievement.
2010-2011 Theme
"Does My Generation Have a Role in America's Future"*
Entry Deadline
Nov. 1, 2010
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, receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.
Besides competing for the top scholarship prize, as well as other national scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $16,000, each Department's first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., March 5-9, 2011, sponsored by Target.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2009-2010. The Voice of Democracy program is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.
How to Enter:
Students can enter by submitting the required entry form (click on the link in the gray bar on the right), along with their essay and recording to a local VFW Post. To find a post in your area, click here or look in the white pages of your local phone directory. You may also call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at 816-968-1117. Mail entry form and audio essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.
For more information or questions, contact VFW National Headquarters or VFW State Headquarters if you can't find a local VFW Post.
*Historically, the theme (annually chosen by the VFW commander-in-chief) is purposely kept broad in scope to allow the participant flexibility in interpretation to encourage originality. Since the VFW is a patriotic organization, the annual theme always will be related to patriotism.
2010-2011 Theme
"Does Patriotism Still Matter"*
Entry Deadline
Nov. 1, 2010
Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate in the contest.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2009-2010. The Patriot's Pen program is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to express their opinions based on an annual theme.
Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. The first-place winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.
For more information contact VFW National Headquarters or your local VFW Post.
Student Information:
Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay, to a local VFW Post. To find a post in your area, click here or look in the white pages of your local phone directory.
You may also call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at 816-968-1117. Mail entry form and essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.
*Historically, the theme (annually chosen by the VFW commander-in-chief) is purposely kept broad in scope to allow the participant flexibility in interpretation to encourage originality. Since the VFW is a patriotic organization, the annual theme always will be related to patriotism.
