Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Veterans of Foreign Wars organization is now accepting entries for its 2021-22 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions, according to a VFW news release.

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 reward success in the form of more than $3 million in combined scholarships at the local, state and national levels.

The Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition, with this year’s theme of “America: Where Do We Go From Here?”, is open to all ninth- through 12th-grade students. Each state winner competes at the national level where the first-place $30,000 scholarship prize is awarded. 

Students in grades six through eight compete in the Patriot’s Pen competition by answering this year’s theme, “How Can I Be a Good American?” Entrants vie for the top award of $5,000.  

Student entries, accompanied by a completed entry form, may be dropped off at VFW Post 4411 in Franklin or mailed to SGT USMC Jayton D. Patterson, VFW Post 4411, 3385 Beaver Dam Road, Franklin, VA 23851. The deadline for both contests is Oct. 31.

More information and the forms needed for both contests can be obtained at www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships or by contacting one of VFW’s Youth Scholarship Committee Members listed below.

• Junior Vice Commander Jeff Draughn — (757) 327-9690 or jeffrey.draughn@gmail.com
• Auxiliary Junior Vice President Tami Dunbar — (240) 661-1517 or tami.dunbar@yahoo.com