VFW announces kickoff of annual scholarship competitions

Commander Willie Goodman, of the Windham Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10643, announces the kickoff of this year’s VFW’s Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy Essay Competitions.
 

The Patriot’s Pen Competition is open to middle school students including home-schoolers, in grades six through eight in the Windham Area. Students are invited to write a 300 to 400-word essay on this year’s theme: America’s Gift to my Generation.

The Voice of Democracy Competition is open to high school students, grades nine through 12, and once again, includes those home-schooled in the Windham Area. Students are to write and record a three to five-minute essay on audio CD for this year’s theme: American History - Our Hope for the Future.

Students have the opportunity to compete in these VFW annual essay competitions and win thousands of dollars in scholarships and the first-place state winner of both competitions receives a four-day trip to Washington, D.C.

The first-place national winner receives $5,000 for the Patriot’s Pen Essay and the first-place national winner for the Voice of Democracy Essay receives a $30,000 college scholarship. Students begin competing at the local Post level, advancing to district and then competing at the state level.

Deadline for student entries is Tuesday, October 31. Interested students and/or teachers should contact FVW Post 10643 by phone at 207-228-4329 or by mail at PO Box 1776, Windham 04062.