Voice of Democracy 

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $30,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000,these scholarships may be for you.

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, more than 51,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.9 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download the 2020-21 entry form application, as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post 7589 by midnight, Oct. 31.

WHO CAN ENTER

The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12 enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private, parochial school, or home study program in the U.S., its territories or its possessions.

Dependents of U.S.military or civilian personnel in overseas schools are also eligible to participate.

HOW TO ENTER

Download the Voice of Democracy entry form and brochure to submit your essay to your local VFW Post 7589.

Students should record their reading of the draft to an audio CD or flash drive. The recording can be no shorter than three minutes and no longer than five minutes (plus or minus five seconds).  Entries begin at the Post level. Once the student creates their essay and completes burning the audio version to an audio CD/flash drive, they can submit their typed version,CD/flash drive and the Voice of Democracy entry form to their local participating VFW Post 7589 by the Oct. 31 deadline.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Originality is worth 30 points: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest.

Content is worth 35 points: 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 is worth 35 points: Speak in a clear and credible manner.

Patriot's Pen

Each year more than 138,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $900,000 in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download the 2020-21 entry form application as all student entries must be submitted to your sponsoring local VFW Post 7589 by midnight, Oct. 31.

WHO CAN ENTER

The Patriot’s Pen program is open to 6th-, 7th- and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private, parochial school, or home study program in the U.S., its territories or its possessions.  Dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools are also eligible to participate.

HOW TO ENTER

Download and complete the Patriot's Pen entry form and brochure.  Essays must be no less than 300 words and cannot exceed 400 words.  They should be submitted to VFW Post 7589, along with the completed Patriot's Pen entry form no later than the October 31 deadline.  Students can ask a teacher or youth group leader to supervise their progress in the competition.

JUDGING CRITERIA 

Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points. You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively. Theme development is worth 35 points. 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 is worth 35 points. Write your essay in an easy-to understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.

Youth Activities Programs

The VFW Auxiliary works to teach our nation’s youth the skills to become responsible adults through serving our country, communities, veterans and service members. We engage youth in positive volunteer experiences and believe every young person can find a place to serve that will improve their lives, as well as the lives they touch.

Illustrating America

A patriotic art contest for elementary and middle/junior high school students that encourages students’ artistic abilities and rewards their hard work. It’s fun to see how our youth see the world through their drawings and paintings.

The contest consists of three grade divisions: 1-2, 3-5 and 6-8. There is one National winner in each grade division, with awards for first, second and third place in each grade division.

Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!

An individual national anthem singing contest for youth ages six to 16 at the time of local entry, and a U.S. citizen or U.S. national. Youth learn the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner” while expressing their creativity. The contest highlights the vocal talent of young people while promoting patriotism.

Entry will be judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value. Contestant must live or attend school in the state of the sponsoring VFW Auxiliary. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $2,000.

Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest

Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

·       Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.

·       Student must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.

·       Student does not have to be related to a VFW or VFW Auxiliary member to participate, but the student must attend school in the same state as the sponsoring VFW Auxiliary.

·       Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over,GED and adult education students, or national winners of previous Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contests are ineligible.

What is the Scholarship Amount?

·       The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $31,500.

What are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?

·       Two-dimensional art must be on canvas or paper. Watercolor, pencil,pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker or other media taught may be used.

·       Do not frame two-dimensional pieces. 

·       Submit canvas entries on a stretcher frame or canvas board. Other entries must be matted in white. Do not use color mats. Reinforce the back with heavy paper. Mounted and floating mats may also be used. 

·       The art should be no smaller than 8” x 10” but no larger than 18” x 24”, not including mat.

·       Three dimensional art can be paper, papier-mâché, pottery, clay, metal work, fabric, etc. 

·       Pieces should be no larger than 18” in any direction.

·       Art cannot be more than 5 lbs. in weight. 

·       Digital art, photography and jewelry are NOT ACCEPTED. 

·       Complete entry form and attach to back of entry.

·       Submit a typed explanation of patriotism expressed in art (250 words or less).

What are the Scholarship Contest Deadlines?

·       March 31: Student Entry Deadline to your Local VFW Auxiliary 7589.*

·       April 10:  Local VFW Auxiliary and District Judging Complete.

·       April 15:  Local VFW Auxiliary and District Winners to Department (state) for Judging.*

·       May 5:  VFW Auxiliary Department (state) Winners to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*

* required deadlines