vfw essay contest

PATRIOT PEN

2023-2024 Patriot's Pen Essay Theme "How are you inspired by America" Each year more than 165,400 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 $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each 1st place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!  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?  2023-2024 Patriots Pen Announcement Letter Click Here 2023-2024 Patriots Pen entry form Click here Score sheet for judging can be found here .    NOTE : PA has due dates different than those publicized by National VFW!        October 31, 2023-Student deadline Entry is midnight.        November 18, 2023 -Post judging completed.        December 3, 2023    District judging completed.        December 9, 2023   District Winner entry form, flash drive of essay, typed essay, head and shoulder photo of good quality, District summary report and District participation report must be sent to Department Chairman:    Pennsylvania VFW Patriot's Pen Chairman William (Bill) Lamond VFW Post 5207 (10) 3360 Nashotka Rd. Madison Twp, Pa.  18444 570-241-5875 [email protected]     December 11, 2023-Department judging  January 15, 2024-Department Winner and Reports submitted to VFW National HQ January 20, 2024-Annual Voice of Democracy Banquet-DoubleTree by Hilton-Pittsburgh Cranberry

Address 4002 Fenton Ave Harrisburg, PA 17109-5943 Contact Us via Email Fax: 717-234-1955

M:  8:30am-4:00pm T:  8:30am-4:00pm W:  8:30am-4:00pm Th:  8:30am-4:00pm F:  8:30am-4:00pm

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

Fairport Harbor Exempted Village School District

Learning Today Leading Tomorrow

• Building Project Updates Do not update here
• Covid Reporting Dashboard
• Remote/Virtual Learning
• McKinley Elementary Remote/Virtual Landing Page
• Harding MS/HS Remote/Virtual Learning Landing Page
• Quality Profile
• Early College and Career Readiness
• Personalized Learning
• Inspiring Excellence
• International Baccalaureate
• Student Spotlight
• Student/Staff of the Month
• FHEVS Learning Recovery & Extended Learning
• College Credit Plus
• District Vision 20/20
• National Honor Society
• Golf Varsity
• Fairport Athletic Events - HomeTown Ticketing
• Harding Athletic Forms
• NFHS Network Information
• Basketball- Boys
• Basketball- Girls
• Cheerleading
• Cross Country
• Track and Field
• Harding Coaches Directory
• Cardina Field Improvement Project
• Academic Challenge
• Interact Club
• Marching, Concert and Jazz Band
• Middle School Travel
• Power of the Pen
• Science Club
• Student Council- Harding High School 9-12
• Student Safety and Innovation Club
• Summer Bridge

VFW Essay Contests

• Harding Early College School
• McKinley Elementary School
• ESCWR Preschool at Fairport Harbor
• Custodial Services
• BAC- Business Advisory Council
• New Building Updates
• Superintendent
• Board Of Education
• Pupil Services
• Health Services
• Office of the Treasurer
• Summer Bridge Registration
• Open Enrollment Applications
• Kindergarten Registration
• Registration (Grades K-12)
• 2016-17 School Calendar
• 2017-18 School Calendar
• 2018-19 School Calendar
• 2019-20 School Calendar
• 2020-21 School Calendar
• 2021-22 School Calendar
• 2021-2022 Harding Maroon and White Calendar
• 2022-2023 School Calendar
• 2023-2024 School Calendar
• 2024-25 School Calendar
• Adamic, Amy
• Barlow, Jennifer
• Baucco, Raechel
• Bauer, Candice
• Budziak, Dawn
• Cerbin , Megan
• Chuckro, Monica
• Dibling, Dana
• Dubeansky, Jennifer
• Edixon, Annmarie
• Elmore, Heidi
• Fairbanks, Angela
• Fitzgerald, Tanya
• Greenwalt, Trecina
• Grunda, Rebecca
• Hites, Casey
• Hribar, Scott
• Jennings, Karen (Kitchen Manager)
• Johnson, Shawntel
• Johnston, Katie
• Knight, Greg
• Lawson, Harriet
• McCauley, Jennifer
• McGinn, Susan
• McKillen, Rachel
• Reed, Edward
• Rowan, Sabrina
• Ruff, Brenna
• Schneider, Jocelyne
• Slovenkay, Kelly
• Stevenson, Jen
• Thompson, Caitlyn
• Tromp, Tanya
• Uhland, Robin
• Vahcic, Candace
• Wolosonovich, Britany
• Caruso, Rose
• Jones, Danielle
• Andersen, Miles
• Bodi, Heidi
• Campbell , Brandon
• Cerbin, Megan
• Collins, Courtney
• Darida, Becky
• Giorgi, Grace
• Hacking, Makenzie
• Hites, Jerry
• Hlousek, Timothy
• Holbrooks, Sheila
• Hoxie, Richard
• Jurick, Michelle
• Kallay, Corie
• Kazsmer, Renee
• Knight, Sandra
• Markiewicz, Izabella
• Messenger, Tara
• Messer, Russ
• Prosser, Amanda
• Rayl, Steve
• Ring, Sarah
• Romeo, John
• Rumbarger, Katie
• Ruzin, Chris
• Tenon, Susan
• Brown, Nathanael
• Ettinger, Dustin
• Freeman, Mary Kate
• Ruff, Cameron
• Szydlowski, Marissa
• School Volunteers
• Fundraisers
• Attendance & HB 410
• Infinite Campus
• FERPA Disclosure
• Title One Parent Resources
• Response to Intervention
• Employee Handbook
• Infinite Campus Teacher Portal
• Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC)
• Grant Opportunities
• R.A.V.E. (Recognizing Awesome Volunteers and Employees)
• Nominate a Community Supporter
• Employment Opportunities
• Alumni & Graduation Classes
• For Students "
• VFW Essay Winners

Page Navigation

Fairport harbor vfw contest winners, patriot's pen.

Each year, more than 165,400 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 $1.4 million 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! 

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. 

VFW Contest 2/2/23

VFW  Awards - The 2021-22 theme is: 

How Can I Be a Good American?

Dan Sherwood - VFW Representative here from the Fairport Harbor VFW Post 7754

Participation: - All received a VFW Backpack:

1st place: Brooklynn Reglus

2nd place: Issac Robinson

3rd place: Rmani Pearson

2020-2021 VFW Contest Winners

2016 & 2017 Winners

Voice of democracy speech competition and patriot's pen essay competition, your browser does not support html5 video  .

Thank you to Auburn Career Center students in the Instructional Media Technology class for creating the video of our assembly. 

Please download and read our  Patriot's Pen and  Voice of Democracy  - Fall 2016 Winners

Vfw winning essays.

Patriot's Pen Winners - "The America I Believe In"

• 1st place: James Dean Spiesman
• Tierny DeGidio
• Connor Hulett
• Ryan Heller  
• Joseph Tanker

Voice of Democracy Winners - "My Responsibility to America"

• 1st place: Jessie Smith
• 2nd place: Gabby Palmer
• 3rd place: Marcus Toreki

Voice of Democracy District 7 Winner - March 25, 2017

Gabby Palmer was invited to the local VFW Saturday, March 25, 2017, for a lovely awards presentation. Gabby also won 2nd place for the entire District which encompasses 5 counties (Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Medina, and Cuyahoga).  She was unable to attend the District awards ceremony as she was in the musical the weekend they gave out the awards.  A representative from District 7 came to the dinner and gave her a medal, a plaque and $500.  So in total, she won $300 from the local VFW Post 7754, $75 from the local women's auxiliary and $500 from the Ohio District 7 VFW. Congratulations Gabby Palmer. Please download a few pictures from the event here .

Please download and read our  Patriot's Pen and  Voice of Democracy  - Fall 2017 Winners

Patriot's pen essay winners - fall 2017 - congratulations to our middle school patriot's pen essay winners.

• 1st place:  Morgan Braemer
• 2nd place: Emily Luke
• 3rd place:  Natalie Gladding  

Representatives from the VFW Post 7754 came to present awards to each of these students for their winning essays. Commander Kalal, President of the Essay Contests Mr. Sherwood and VFW Secretary Janet Merrick were at Fairport Harding High School to present awards. The theme for this year's contest was: America's Gift to My Generation. There were just over 70 essays submitted from grades 6-8 from just Fairport Harding Jr. High to the local VFW Post 7754. Mrs. Merrick shared the great news that 8th grader Morgan Braemer's first-place essay has placed third in the district and has moved on to the state competition. We wish Morgan Braemer the best and are very proud of her accomplishments!! Congrats again to all of our essay winners.

Voice of Democracy Winners - Fall 2017 - Congratulations to our High School Voice of Democracy Winners!

1st place:  Maya Hess

2nd place:  Adam Wilson

3rd place:  Angie Gutekunst

Just under 50 high school students competed in the Voice of Democracy speech contest this year. Students in grades 9-12 had to write a speech and then record it. Auburn Career Center's IMT students came to Fairport earlier in October and then created the audio recordings on CDs for our students to submit to the Fairport VFW. Thank you to all who participated and shared their opinions on America's Future! Well done to our three high school speech winners! Around September of next school year, please be on the lookout for next year's annual VFW Voice of Democracy contest and be sure to submit yours! 

If you would like to watch Morgan Braemer and Maya Hess deliver their winning speeches, please watch the video on Youtube below:  

(Video Credits: Auburn Career Center Instructional Media Technology Program)

You are commenting as Anonymous

329 Vine Street Fairport Harbor, OH 44077 440- 354- 5400 Fax: 440- 357- 1478

• Questions or Feedback? |
• Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated) |

"Robert John Lehman Post"

VFW Post 10427

Leander, TX

Still serving our Country, Veterans and Communities

Hours of Operation Mon-Fri: 3pm - 10pm Sat/Sun: 1pm - 10pm 512.260.8313

Youth Scholarships & Awards

The 2023-24 theme is:   "How Are You Inspired by America?"

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million 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! 

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. Before submitting your essay,  read the rules and eligibility requirements , and find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.  Download and complete the 2023-2024 entry form here .  [VFW Post 10427 information found below .]

Leighton Peters

About the 2022-2023 winner ...

Leighton Peters, a seventh grade student from Rice Lake, Wisconsin, was named the 2022-2023 Patriot's Pen first place winner. Her essay on the theme, "My Pledge to Our Veterans" won her a $5,000 award. Leighton was sponsored by VFW Post 2204 and its Auxiliary in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

Watch as Leighton delivered her winning essay , during the VFW's Parade of Winners streamed live on Facebook, or  read  her essay here.  See the complete list of 2023 national winners .

The 2023-24 theme is:  "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"

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, nearly 25,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.3 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-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, read  the rules and eligibility requirements , and find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.  Download and complete the 2023-24 Voice of Democracy entry form here .  [VFW Post 10427 information found below .]

Scotland Stewart

Scotland Stewart, a sophomore at Franklin County High School in Winchester, Tennessee,, was named the 2022-2023 Voice of Democracy first place winner. Scotland’s speech on the theme, "Why is the Veteran Important?" won him a $35,000 college scholarship. Scotland was sponsored by VFW Post 1893 in Estill Springs, Tennessee.  Watch as Scotland delivered his speech during the VFW's Parade of Winners award  ceremony or  read it here .

Want to catch up on everything that happened this year? You can watch the full  Parade of Winners ceremony  which was streamed live on Facebook, or  see this year's complete list of winners .

Teacher of the Year

Smart/maher vfw national citizenship education teacher award, grades k-12.

Without our nation’s veterans, America wouldn't be the great nation it is today. Our youth deserve to learn about our rich history, traditions and the role of our veterans in creating and shaping America. Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects elementary, middle, and high school teachers to participate in the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program.

Please  review the new rules and eligibility requirements  and  complete the 2023 entry form and brochure  to nominate a teacher you know. Teacher nomination entries must be received at a local participating VFW Post by the Oct. 31 deadline.  [VFW Post 10427 information found below .]

Scout of the Year

Some of our earliest ties to the community involve youth groups and perhaps none are stronger or more lasting than the relationship between the VFW and America's scouting organizations. In fact, our partnership with the Boy Scouts of America dates back to 1915 when VFW Post 2100 helped to establish Troop 1 in Everett, Washington.

Our Scout of the Year program provides members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to be recognized for their standout citizenship, patriotism and love of country. 

Before submitting your Scout of the Year application, please  review the rules and eligibility requirements . Please  download the VFW Scout of the Year brochure and entry form  to submit at your local VFW Post.  [VFW Post 10427 information found below .]

LOCAL VFW ENTRY FORM INFORMATION

Robert John Lehman Post VFW Post 10427 8760 RR 2243 Leander, TX 78641 (512) 260-8313 or VFW Post 10427 P.O. Box 648 Leander, TX 78641

VFW Post 2713 | Farwell-Roosevelt

Vfw post 2713 essay contest for 2021.

NEED School $?  West Seattle VFW announces essay contest

Young writer(s) in the house? Need college money? This year’s  VFW  essay competition  – three categories, for 3rd graders through high-school seniors – might be of interest:

The  Veterans of Foreign Wars  (VFW)  Post 2713  in West Seattle announces this year’s VFW essay contests:

Voice of Democracy : Students in grades 9-12 must write and record an essay on “America: Where do we go from here?” The state first-place winner receives a four-day trip to Washington, D.C., and the chance to be  the first-place national winner receive a $30,000 college scholarship. Local Post 2713 awards: $350 – 1st place; $275 – 2nd place; $200 – 3rd place.

Patriot’s Pen  is for grades 6-8. The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The essay theme is: “How Can I Be A Good American?” Local Post 2713 awards: $150 – 1st place; $100 – 2nd place; $75 – 3rd place.  Bonus 1st place: 8th grade-$100; 7th grade $75; 6th grade-$50.

Both programs are approved by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Also: A VFW Washington State Department  competition for students in Grades 3-5 . The theme is: “Why do I stand for my Country’s flag?” Local Post 2713 awards: $100 – 1st place; $75 – 2nd place; $50 – 3rd place. Bonus 1st place: 5th grade-$75; 4th grade-$50; 3rd grade-$25.

This program is completely voluntary; a student (including home schooled) does not have to go through their school to participate. Interested students and teachers should contact Bill Dwyer,  [email protected] , telephone (206) 419-3998 after 5 pm, or Ben Skwiercz, [email protected], telephone (425) 941-4651.

Local Post winners compete at the District level in December, and District winners advance to the state. All entries must be in or postmarked to  VFW Post 2713   by Oct. 31, 2021  at 3601 SW Alaska Street, Seattle, WA 98126.

Note that you can get entry forms and rules by following the links above, or find information/links for all three categories  here .

Congratulations to last year’s VFW Post 2713  winners who hailed from Chief Sealth High School,  Holy Rosary School, Madison Middle School, Kennedy Catholic High School, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Summit Atlas.  

Share this:

One thought on “vfw post 2713 essay contest for 2021”.

• Pingback: PRIZES! VFW Post 2713’s annual student essay contests are on – The Central Area Network

Leave a comment Cancel reply

No one does more for veterans.

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Member Login

Forgot username or password?

Are you a new user, what is id.me • video tutorials for id.me.

• Media & Events
• Latest Releases

Annual VFW Youth Scholarship Competitions Open

Entries must be received at a participating vfw post by oct. 31.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is now accepting entries for its 2021-22 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions. The announcement comes less than two weeks after the VFW hosted its first-ever, virtual Parade of Winners where the top national winners of both contests were recognized.

Dedicated to encouraging a better understanding and appreciation of America, the VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions help foster patriotism among today’s youth. The popular contests also promote friendly competition and rewards success in the form of more than $3 million in combined scholarships at the local, state and national levels.

Open to eligible sixth, seventh and eighth grade students, this year’s theme is “How Can I Be a Good American?” Wyatt Perkins, sponsored by VFW Post 4221 in Portland, North Dakota, was awarded the 2021 Patriot’s Pen first place prize. Listen to his award-winning entry here .

Student entries, accompanied with a completed entry form, must be submitted to a local participating VFW Post. The deadline for both contests is Oct. 31, 2021 .

Find your local VFW Post , or read more about the competitions . 

Related Articles

Vfw honors national vietnam war veterans day, 'sometimes people just need a hand up', ‘i hope i can ease some of their suffering’, ‘i’ve always been a public servant’, new course spotlights ‘15 things veteran service officers want you to know’.

YOUTH ESSAYS

Youth Scholarships

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 $35,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

Voice of Democracy

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, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

The national first place winner receives a $35,000 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-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, download the  2024-2025 entry form here  and find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2024-25 theme is:  "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"

About the 2023-2024 winner ...

Sophia Lin, a high school junior at BASIS Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, was named the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy first place winner. Sophia's speech on the theme, "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?" won her a $35,000 college scholarship. Sophia was sponsored by Scottsdale VFW Post 3513.  Watch as Sophia delivered her speech during the VFW's Parade of Winners award  ceremony or  read it here .

Want to catch up on everything that happened this year? You can watch the full  Parade of Winners ceremony  which was streamed live on Facebook, or  see this year's complete list of winners .

Patriot's Pen

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s  Patriot’s Pen  youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million 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! 

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. Before submitting your essay,  download the 2024-2025 entry form here  and  find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2023-24 theme is:  "My Voice in America's Democracy?"

Bryant Day, an eighth grade student from Ashland, Ohio, was named the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen first place winner. His essay on the theme, "How Are You Inspired by America?" won the national first place $5,000 award. Bryant was sponsored by VFW Post 9943 and its Auxiliary in Mansfield, Ohio.

Watch as Bryant delivered his winning essay  during the VFW's Parade of Winners streamed live on Facebook, or  read  his essay here.  See the complete list of 2024 national winners .

Address 5213 Pacific Highway East Fife, WA 98424 Contact Us via Email Phone: 253-922-2114 Fax: 253-922-2208

M:  8AM - 4PM T:  8AM - 4PM W:  8AM - 4PM Th:  8AM - 4PM F:  8AM - 4PM Sat:  Closed Sun:  Closed Veteran Service Officer Hours   M- Appointment only 7AM-4PM Tu- Walk-in 9AM-2PM W- Appointment only 7AM-4PM Th- Walk-in 9AM-2PM F-( Admin Day ) 7AM-4PM Sat Closed Sun Closed

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

VFW Post 8870 and Auxiliary

Veterans of Foreign Wars – Edmonds, Snohomish County, Washington State

• Current Officers
• Our Supporters
• Meeting Archive
• Scholarships
• Student Essay
• Teacher of the Year
• Current Issue
• Past Newsletter Articles
• Military Funeral Honors
• Useful Links
• Veterans Plaza

VFW Youth Essay Contests Underway 

VFW Post 8870 and Auxiliary > News > VFW Youth Essay Contests Underway 

Author: Editor August 27, 2022

News , Newsletter Articles

patriots pen , VFW Youth Essay Contests , voice of democracy , youth essay

The following article is being published in our local media to promote our annual Youth Essay Contests. If you have family members or friends who qualify in these age groups, please encourage them to apply. 

Every year, Edmonds Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8870 sponsors a group of student essay contests, along with the rest of the VFW throughout the nation. Applications are made available through the local schools but students may also enter directly by filling out the application and submitting their entry to VFW Post 8870 prior to Oct. 31. Home schooled students are welcome to participate. The Oct. 31 deadline may seem a long way off, but it’s not too soon to start thinking about these competitions, which are also scholarship opportunities: 

Voice of Democracy – audio essay competition for high school students. 

Patriot’s Pen – essay contest for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. 

Youth Essay – contest is open to elementary students in grades 3-5. 

VFW sponsors these contests to promote patriotism and help students further their education by awarding more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives, to regional, state and national winners. 

This year’s theme for the Patriot’s Pen written essay contest is “My Pledge to Our Veterans,” and the theme for the Voice of Democracy audio essay competition is “Why is the Veteran Important?” The younger essayists are asked to write on “Why are Veterans So Important to Us?” 

Contest rules and entry forms can be found via the following link to the VFW Department of Washington web site: https://vfwwa.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=79734 . 

Entries may be submitted to Edmonds VFW Post 8870, PO Box 701, Edmonds, WA 98020 

← Previous post

Next post →