Local VFW Post invites Morgan students to enter essay writing contest

‘‘How are you inspired by America?” This question can be answered in an essay called Patriots Pen. 

Patriots Pen is a nationwide essay competition sponsored by the VFW. This competition encourages sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students to use their minds and knowledge of America’s history and their experience of today’s American society to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme while helping them improve their writing skills and competing for prizes.

With more than 120,00 students participating in 2022, over $1.2 million in prize money were given out. Local prizes are based on the number of applicants. Judging is done by a panel of community members and local American Legion and VFW Post members. 

The theme for the Annual VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay for 2023 is "What is Patriotism to Me." 

Applications can be submitted to the school students attend or directly to Post 6154. 

Essay rules and guidelines are as follows:

· Must be typed in English, black ink only

· Must be 300-400 words in length. Word count does NOT include the title or footnotes.

· No Graphics allowed

· Contestants will not identify themselves within their essay to include but are not limited to, their name, school, city, state, race, or national origin.

· Official entry form must be included with students' essay. The form may be printed online at www.vfw.org.

While Patriots Pen is for middle school students, high school students are not left out. Students, ninth through 12th grade are invited to enter the Voice of Democracy contest. Contestants record an original three-to-five-minute audio essay on a flash drive, or other electronic device to go with the theme “What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy?”

Essays are to be completed individually. The recording must be in the participant's 

own voice and in English. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at [email protected] for special instructions. 

No music, singing, poetry, or sound effects are allowed. 

Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves regarding 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. 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.

Morgan High School students are to turn their submissions in to Mrs. Romero. The body of the essay must not identify the student in any way, although the recording & typed essay should be labeled with your name, to show ownership.

Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy contests are open to all students whether in public, private, or parochial schools, as well as, home-schooled children in the United States and its territories or its possessions and dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools are invited to enter. These students can submit their entry to Post 6154.

Although U.S. citizenship is not required, for either competition, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application cannot have been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. 

According to Commander Van Nelson, there is a requirement that no personal information can be included in any of the essays for either competition. There should also not be references to relatives, i.e. "my uncle, or grandfather".

Before submitting an entry, read the rules and eligibility requirements, and make sure applications are filled out completely. Application can be found at https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.

All entries must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.

Last year several local contestants advanced to the district level and one in each contest advanced to state. λ