VFW Scholarship Essays Due October 31
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The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If a student is 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 regard to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 students in grades
9-12 from across the country enter to win their share of nearly $ I 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. The 2024-2025 Voice of Democracy theme is “ls America Today Our Forefather’s Vision?”‘
Patriot’s Pen: Each year more than 68,800 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 modem 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. The 2024-2025 Patriot’s Pen theme is “My Voice in America’s Democracy’)””
Want to apply for the Voice of Democracy or Patriot’s Pen Scholarship? Read the rules and eligibility requirements and download the entry fom1 from the VFW website or contact the local school’s counselors. Read the forms carefully in order to follow the guidelines required for each entry. Any interested student may research more information on line under the VFW Department of Missouri Website: vfw. org Contact your school counselor or VFW Auxiliary President Beverly Shelley if you have questions.
Those SC students in grades 6-8 interested in the Patriot’s Pen Scholarship are to contact the guidance counselors in the Scotland Country R-I Elementary School and SC R-1 HS for information. Those in grades 9-12 interested in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship should contact their counselor at the Scotland County R-1 High School. SC students and those students who are not affiliated with the local school district may also contact Dave Long at 660 341-1522 or Beverly Shelley at 660 341-0931.
SCR-1 Schools entries should be submitted to guidance counselors by Oct. 31, 2024, who will deliver them to the Memphis VFW post for the entrant. Once scholarships are completed per guidelines. ALL local entries are due to the Wallace Gillespie VFW Post #4958 no later than October 31 of this year to be eligible for local competition. Winners will advance to the district competition.
