VFW’s Youth and Teacher Competition Deadlines Nearing

Student and teacher entries are due by Oct. 31

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the past 70 years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. has worked tirelessly to nurture patriotism through education, but time is running out for America’s students and teachers to become a part of that legacy this year.  

The VFW is still accepting applications for its popular Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions, as well as its Teacher of the Year award. The application deadline for all three programs is Oct. 31.

As the top patriotic essay competition in the country with a top prize of a $30,000 scholarship, more than 46,000 high school students participate in the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition each year. Participants in this year’s competition will share their thought-provoking ideas as they address American History: Our Hope for the Future.

Last year more than 122,000 sixth through eighth-grade students participated in the VFW Patriot’s Pen essay competition. This year to win their slice of more than $54,000 in national awards, students are being challenged to discuss America’s Gift to My Generation.

With the important job of inspiring the minds of tomorrow’s leaders, the VFW also recognizes the nation’s top elementary, junior high and high school teachers, who go above and beyond to instill a sense of national pride in their students. Now is your chance to recognize patriotic teachers in your community today!  

Get additional details on the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth essay competitions, or to nominate a teacher, click here.