ELIZABETHTOWN — The Raymond W. Biglow VFW Post 8062 is pleased to announce two upcoming opportunities for middle and high school students. The National VFW conducts the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests annually. These contests give students the chance to write essays for judging that could win them significant prizes.
The Patriot’s Pen is open to students in grades six to eight to write a 300 to 400 word essay on ”The America I Believe In.” A winner is selected by VFW Post 8062 which is forwarded for District judging. District winners are submitted for State VFW judging. One National winner is then chosen from all the State entries. Prizes awarded range from $500 to $5,000 for winners on the state and national levels.
Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades nine through 12 who will write and record a 3- to 5-minute audio essay on the theme of “My Responsibility to America.” The essay must be recorded on an audio CD or flash drive for submission for judging. Once a local winner is chosen by VFW Post 8062, that essay will be judged on a district level. District winners compete to be named a state winner. One national winner is named from all the state winners. Prizes awarded range from $1,000 to $30,000 on the state and national levels.
Information on both these programs will be furnished to the local schools in the coming weeks. Teachers are encouraged to see their Principals for the brochures which give all the details they can share with their students. Students may contact their teachers if they are interested in competing in case the programs are not mentioned to them in class.
Entry deadline for both programs is Nov. 1.
For additional information, contact J. Oliver Gause, Post Commander VFW 8062, at 910-862-9543 or visit www.vfw.org and search for Patriot’s Pen or Voice of Democracy Programs.