Danny Dietz Veterans
of Foreign Wars Post 322
Essay Contest
Patriot Pen
Scholarship
Students
grade 6-8
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.
The
2026-27 theme is: "What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”
1st Place Winner $300,
2nd and 3rd Place Winner $100
Deadline October 26, 2026
The first-place winner from each
state competes for national awards totaling $50,000, with each first-place
state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level. The national
first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington,
D.C., in March.
https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships
***Call or email for questions, information, apply:***
Adam Donahue, VFW Post 322, Senior Vice Commander,
svc@vfw322.org
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Danny Dietz Veterans
of Foreign Wars Post 322
Audio Essay Contest
Voice of Democracy
Scholarship
Students
grade 9-12
2026-27
theme: "What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”
Record
your original 3-5 minute audio in MP3 format (no videos) on electronic device.
You will submit the recording, a typed essay and this completed entry form.
1st Place
Winner $300, 2nd 3rd Place Winner $100
Deadline October 26, 2026
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 Colorado wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip
to Washington, D.C. to meet and other state first place winners in the national
competition. The all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. includes four
fun-filled days of tours, visits to monuments, meeting with heads of state and
often the President or Vice President of the United States. The National
Judging is held in Washington, D.C. prior to the students' arrival and the
winners are announced at a special reception in their honor. In June, each
state winner is invited to the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Freedom and
Leadership Youth Conference. The three-day conference allows participating
students the opportunity to converse with experts on current issues of
citizenship, tour the Philadelphia and Valley Forge historic sites and
participate in seminars designed to develop leadership skills and understand
the value of community service. The foundations of American democracy and the
elements of the free enterprise system will also be explored through thought
provoking lectures and workshops.
https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships
***Call or email for questions, information or apply:***
Adam Donahue, VFW Post 322, Senior Vice Commander,
svc@vfw322.org
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