vfw essay 2022

VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

2024-2025 Theme Coming March 2024

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 40,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of $2.1 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-$15,000, 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?

2024-2025 Entry Form

VOD Deadlines:

Midnight, October 31, Entries to the Post

  December 13, District Winners due to Department Chairman

Rules and Eligibility Requirements: VOD Rules / Eligibility

Download the 2024-2025 VOD Entry Form here: Coming soon

Voice of Democracy National Awards List

DO NOT mail District entries and required forms to State Headquarters.  Mail them directly to the State Voice of Democracy Chairman!

POST PARTICIPATION REPORTING PACKET

DISTRICT PARTICIPATION REPORTING PACKET (by POST):

DISTRICT VOD / PP WINNER REPORT:

Click Here 

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VFW Opens Annual Youth Patriotic Scholarship Contests

The programs award more than $3 million to middle and high school students.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is now accepting entries for its 2022-23 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions. America’s high school students will be required to answer, “Why Is the Veteran Important?” while middle school students will have the opportunity to declare, “My Pledge to Our Veterans.”

The Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition is open to all students in grades 9-12, with the top national prize scholarship totaling $30,000. Nearly 25,000 high school students compete in the annual competition. This year’s winner, Daniela Mare, was sponsored by VFW Post 9486 and its Auxiliary in Centereach, New York. Listen to her award-winning audio-essay here .

Open to all students in grades 6-8, more than 68,800 students participate annually in the Patriot’s Pen essay competition. Syed Ali, the 2021-2022 Patriot’s Pen first place winner, was sponsored by VFW Post 521 and its Auxiliary in New Iberia, Louisiana. Listen to his award-winning entry here .

Student entries may be submitted (along with a completed entry form) to their local participating VFW Post. The deadline for both contests is Oct. 31, 2022.

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

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PATRIOT'S PEN

2024-2025 THEME: 

"My Voice in America's Democracy"

WHAT IS THE PATRIOT’S PEN?

Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest.  

WHO CAN ENTER?

Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students are ineligible.)

PATRIOT’S PEN Deadlines: The deadlines for Patriot’s Pen are as follows:

 1.     Midnight, October 31, Entries to the Post*

2.    November 15, Completion of Post judging**

3.    December 10, Completion of District judging**

4.    December 10, January 15, Posts need to submit report on dashboard to acknowledge that they participated in Patriot Pen*

5.    December 13, Email or fax a copy of your winning essay to the email or fax above*(Email preferred)

6.    December 15, District winning entry packet  with head shot picture of winner must be received by Department Chairman*

7.    January 10, Completion of Department judging**

8.    January 15, District participation reports to Department Chairman* District chairmen should roll up the post reports into one District report. All District reports must be received by 15 January and include the phone number and email address of the chairman of that district .*

9.    January 15, Districts must submit a report and approve post reports on dashboard to acknowledge that the posts and District participated in Patriot Pen*

10.  January 15, Department winners to National*

11.  January 31, Department reports to National*

  *required deadlines

**suggested deadlines

DO NOT mail District entries and required forms to State Headquarters!

Mail them directly to the State Patriot’s Pen Chairman!

Department (State) Awards:

First, second, and third place state winners will receive awards presented by State Chairman at the Mid-Winter Conference.

Click here to view the Rules & Eligibility Requirements:  Patriots-Pen-Rules-and-Eligibility.pdf

Click here to download the current year Entry Form:  Patriots-Pen-Entry-Form-Fillable.pdf

  Contact our State Patr iot's Pen Chairman for more information:

Address 10185 Mammoth Baton Rouge, LA 70814 Contact Us via Email Phone: 225.928-5025

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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 2024-25 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 .

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VOICE OF DEMCRACY ESSAY CONTEST

2023-2024 Theme

"What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy?”

Student Entry Deadline: October 31, 2023

Patriotic Audio Essay Competition Grand Prize: $35,000 Award

VOD Entry Form

VOD Score Sheet

VFW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

At the turn of the 20th century, the founders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars created an organization that would honor and serve veterans and perpetuate the values and ideals for which those veterans had served.  Although men of vision, it is doubtful they could imagine the millions of Americans impacted today by the VFW’s youth, scholarship and recognition programs. Every year, tens of thousands of students nationwide participate in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition and the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest, garnering more than $3.2 million in scholarships, awards, and incentives.

Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition  The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition in 1946. The Veterans of Foreign Wars became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. Many notables have participated in the Voice of Democracy including journalist Charles Kuralt, Miss America Anita Bryant and former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. The Voice of Democracy competition provides high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to write and record an audio essay on a patriotic theme, competing for more than $2 million in college scholarships and incentives. Each first place Department (state) winner is brought to Washington, D.C. in March to enjoy our nation’s capital. 

VFW national Voice of Democracy scholarships have been raised $5k each, bringing the total national scholarship amount to   $171,000.  

1st Place $35,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship

2nd Place $21,000 Charles Kuralt Memorial Scholarship

3rd Place $15,000 VFW Scholarship

Deadlines 2023-24

The deadlines for both Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen are as follows:

• Midnight, October 31 ,  Entries to the Post *
• November 15, Entries received at your District
• December 15, Entries received at Department
• December 15 , District participation reports to Department Chairmen**
• January 15 , Department winners to National*
• January 31 , Department reports to National*  

Post entries are required to include: Typed essay, an audio file of the recorded essay (3-5 minutes, +/- 5 seconds), and a student entry form completed legibly.  Please refer to the student Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen entry forms to review the complete rules and guidelines.

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PATRIOT'S PEN

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 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 . 

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

Address 35 E Chestnut St Ste 506 Columbus, OH 43215 Contact Us via Email Phone: 614-224-1838 Fax: 614-224-3861

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VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

Donate to department of new jersey.

Our programs support our service members while they are on the front line, as they are being discharged and long after they return. Your tax-deductible donation will be immediately directed to the VFW programs where your support is most urgently needed.

Address 171 Jersey St, Bldg 5 2nd Floor Trenton NJ, NJ 08611 Contact Us via Email Phone: 609-393-1929 Fax: 609-393-3031

Ken Hagemann, USMC

State Adjutant/QM

Phone: 609-393-1929

Email:  [email protected]

Filipe Oliveira, NAVY

State Inspector

Email:  [email protected]

Helen Inirio, ARMY

Assistant to State Adjutant/QM

Membership/Bonds/Poppies

Email:  [email protected]

Deborah Donaghy, ARMY

Office Assistant

Email:  [email protected]

Meggan McFadden

Office Administrator

Email: [email protected]

Bob Weiss, USMC    

Department Veteran Service Officer

Phone: 609-393-1952

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #50928

Joshua Hansen, ARMY

Veterans Service Officer

Email:  [email protected]   [email protected]

VA Accreditation #43230

Charles Thorp, ARMY

Veteran Service Officer

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #53925

Mike Boll, USMC

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #53920

Jaime Santiago, ARMY

Phone: 856-401-7660

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #51517

Gloucester County Veterans Affairs

211 County House Rd

Kevin O'Hora, USMC

Phone: 201-336-6329

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #49906

Bergen County Department of Human Services

One Bergen County Plaza - 2nd fl - Hackensack NJ

Shaun Hutchinson, ARMY

Phone: 201-336-6326

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #52036

Kevin Gynegrowski, ARMY

Phone: 201-336-7474

Email: [email protected]

VA Accreditation #56635

Denise Balderama, USMC/ARMY

Assistant Veteran Service Officer

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #29542

Adrian Romero, ARMY

Outreach Coordinator

Phone: 609-569-2176

Email:  [email protected]

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PATRIOT'S PEN

Each year more than 68,000 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 $865,000 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.

The 2023-24 theme is "How are you inspired by America" 

Want to Apply?  R ead the rules and eligibility requirements found on the below Entry Form.

PP Entry Form

VOD/PP Chairman's Manual

PP District to Department Chairman Summary

PP District to Department Post Awards Report

PP Score Sheet

VOD-PP Donation Flyer

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2022-2023 PATRIOT'S PEN

The VFW has announced the topics for the 2022-2023 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth essay competitions.

Patriot’s Pen -- "My Pledge to Our Veterans”

Address 3300 Constitution Drive Springfield, IL 62711 Contact Us via Email Phone: 217-529-6688 Fax: 217-546-3415

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"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

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2022 Virtual Parade of Winners

Join us April 1 at 7 p.m. CDT for the 2022 virtual Parade of Winners and see who takes home the top $30,000 prize!

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Every year, nearly 230,000 of our nation's youth compete in the VFW's Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen audio essay competitions for their chance to win a portion of more than $3 million in college scholarships and awards.

The competitions culminate with the Parade of Winners event, designed to celebrate and recognize the contests’ top national winners. 

This year, the VFW will host its annual Parade of Winners virtually on April 7 at 7 p.m. CDT, live on Facebook. B e sure to tap “interested,” then “going” on the Facebook event to ensure you stay up-to-date and receive all event notifications. To listen to the winning essay from your state, click here . 

During the historic event, VFW and VFW Auxiliary state and national leadership, representatives from program sponsors Twisted X , and this year’s 52 Voice of Democracy Department (state) winners will come together from all over the world as we crown the 2022 national Voice of Democracy first place winner.

Open to eligible middle and high school students, the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions require students submit an essay based on a selected patriotic theme. Winning entries selected by local VFW Posts go on to compete at their District and Department (state) level, with state winners competing at the national level.

The Voice of Democracy top prize is the $30,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship, and the Patriot’s Pen grand prize winner receives the $5,000 Paul A. Spera Past Commander-in-Chief Award.

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 2024-25 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 .

Find Out More

Patriot's Pen

Vfw in the community.