PROGRAM THEMES JUST ANNOUNCED FOR 2008-2009

 

 

 

  Below are contest for youths and teachers that are sponsored by VFW Post 658 and Ladies Auxiliary.   If interested please call 474-3737. 

 

Review complete details at www.vfw.org  - click on Programs and then click on VFW Scholarship Programs.  Materials needed can be downloaded from site.

 

 

CONTESTS FOR YOUTHS

 

Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest:        

 

Patriot’s Pen gives 6th, 7th and 8th grade students the opportunity to express their opinion on a patriotic theme and improve their writing skills, while they compete for worthwhile awards and prizes. Department (state) winners compete for $75,500 in U.S. Savings Bonds at the national level with the winner receiving a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond during the VFW/Ladies Auxiliary Community Service Conference in Washington, D.C., in March each year.

 

2008-09 Theme:  "Why America’s Veterans Should be Honored”

 

Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition (VOD):

 

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition in 1946. The Veterans of Foreign Wars became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. Many notables have participated in the Voice of Democracy including journalist Charles Kuralt, Miss America Anita Bryant and former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. The Voice of Democracy competition provides high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to write and record a broadcast script on a patriotic theme, competing for more than $2.3 million in college scholarships and incentives. Department (state) winners are brought to Washington, D.C., during the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary Community Service Conference in March to enjoy our nation’s capital and compete for $146,000 in scholarships — first place receiving a $30,000 scholarship.

 

2008-09 Theme:  "Service and Sacrifice by America’s Veterans Benefit Today’s Youth by _____"

 

The Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen are endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

 

 

  Patriotic Art Contest

In 1978 the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest was established to recognize and reward high school students for expressing their patriotism visually through their art. At the beginning, a $1,000 first-place and a $500 second-place scholarship were given along with three cash awards from $100-$25. Today three scholarships are given from $10,000- $2,500. In 2000, the Patriotic Art Escrow Fund was established with the goal of making this a self-sustaining program, a goal which will hopefully be fulfilled this year.

Detailed information on the contest can be found on the Ladies Auxiliary website at www.ladiesauxvfw.org and then click on Programs.

 

 CONTEST FOR TEACHERS WHO CARE ABOUT AMERICA

VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award:

 VFW wants to identify and recognize America’s best educators who instill a sense of national pride in students. VFW offers cash awards, commemorative plaques and all-expenses-paid trips to the nation’s capital for these worthy teachers.

 

Annually the VFW recognizes the nation’s top classroom elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly teaching (at least half of the school day in a classroom environment) and promote America’s history, traditions and institutions effectively.

 

Based on the nominees submitted, VFW Post 658 will recognize one outstanding teacher in grades, K-5, 6-8 and 9-12.  Winners will then be forward to District level judging who will forward their winners to the state level. After judging the state winners will be forward to VFW National Headquarters for consideration in the national awards contest.