Links to Program Information
Education
Patriot’s Pen
Voice of Democracy
Young American Creative Patriotic Art
Scout of the Year
Teacher of the Year
Youth Programs
Scouting
Award Recipients
Past Award Recipients
Patriot’s Pen
Each year, nearly 68,800 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!
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 chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Before submitting your essay, read the rules and eligibility requirements, and find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31. Download and complete the 2023-2024 entry form here.
The 2023-24 theme is: “How Are You Inspired by America?”
Voice of Democracy
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, read the rules and eligibility requirements, and find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31. Download and complete the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy entry form here.
The 2023-24 theme is: “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?”
Young American Creative Patriotic Art
Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth. View the 2020-2021 state winners or all the previous first-place national winners. Please read the rules and eligibility requirements below and download the entry form and brochure before submitting your entry to Post 63.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
- Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
- Student must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
- Student does not have to be related to a VFW or VFW Auxiliary member to participate, but the student must attend school in the same state as the sponsoring VFW Auxiliary.
- Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, GED and adult education students, or national winners of previous Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contests are ineligible.
What is the Scholarship Amount?
- The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $31,000.
What are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?
- Two-dimensional art must be on canvas or paper. Watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker or other media taught may be used.
- Do not frame two-dimensional pieces.
- Submit canvas entries on a stretcher frame or canvas board. Other entries must be
matted in white. Do not use color mats. Reinforce the back with heavy paper. Mounted and floating mats may also be used. - The art should be no smaller than 8” x 10” but no larger than 18” x 24”, not including mat.
- Three dimensional art can be paper, papier-mâché, pottery, clay, metal work, fabric, etc.
- Pieces should be no larger than 18” in any direction.
- Art cannot be more than 5 lbs. in weight.
- Digital art, photography and jewelry are NOT ACCEPTED.
- Complete entry form and attach to back of entry.
- Submit a typed explanation of patriotism expressed in art (250 words or less).
What are the Scholarship Contest Deadlines?
- March 31: Student Entry Deadline to Local VFW Auxiliary.*
- April 10: Local VFW Auxiliary and District Judging Complete.
- April 15: Local VFW Auxiliary and District Winners to Department (state) for Judging.*
- May 5: VFW Auxiliary Department (state) Winners to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*
* required deadlines
Scout of the Year
Some of our earliest ties to the community involve youth groups and perhaps none are stronger or more lasting than the relationship between the VFW and America’s scouting organizations. In fact, our partnership with the Boy Scouts of America dates back to 1915 when VFW Post 2100 helped to establish Troop 1 in Everett, Washington.
The VFW Scout of the Year program provides members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who display standout citizenship, patriotism and love of country with the opportunity to be rewarded with college scholarships of up to $5,000.
Before submitting your Scout of the Year application, please review the rules and eligibility requirements.
Teacher of the Year
Please note, the 2023-2024 Entry Form has not been released, yet.
Without our nation’s veterans, America wouldn’t be the great nation it is today. Our youth deserve to learn about our rich history, traditions and the role of our veterans in creating and shaping America.
Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects elementary, middle, and high school teachers to participate in the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program.
Please review the rules and eligibility requirements and the Entry Form.
Looking to share updated information and materials on VFW’s Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen and Teacher Award programs? Share our National Scholarship Brochure with the students and educators in your community.
Scouting
VFW Post 63 is the proud sponsor of Scout Troop 7 and Cub Scout Pack 193.
Troop 7 is full of hardworking young people who strive daily to be future leaders of our great nation, and some may even replenish our ranks. Troop 7 is especially giving of their time when it comes to veterans issues whether that be cemetery cleanup for veterans or memorial day, flag ceremonies and retirements, staining fences or laying sod at the post, or playing bingo at the Idaho State Veterans home. These young people exemplify the traits of everything good about our country and represent the best of their generation as they live out the scout oath and law by being the example for their peers to emulate.
Patriot’s Pen, Voice of Democracy, and Citizenship Education Teacher Award Recipients
VFW Post 63 would like to congratulate the following winners of the essay contests and Citizenship Education Teacher Award!
2022-2023
Patriot’s Pen:
1st Place: Lillian M. Brady
2nd Place: Elizabeth C. Druist
3rd Place: Oskar Harrison Ream
Voice of Democracy:
1st Place: Stephane K. Gross
2nd Place: Robert D. Hollingshead
2021-2022
Patriot’s Pen:
1st Place: Paityn Boehm
2nd Place: Sophia Gunther
3rd Place: Emma Torkelson
Voice of Democracy:
1st Place: Lily Jenkins
2020-2021
Patriot’s Pen:
1st Place: Paige Thiel
2nd Place: Ava Achabal
3rd Place: Chloe Whelan
Voice of Democracy:
1st Place: Sarah Cole
2019-2020
Patriot’s Pen:
1st Place: Joshua Taugher
2nd Place: Maren Genova
3rd Place: Ben Boroff
Voice of Democracy:
1st Place: Michael Wilson
2nd Place: Tia Larson
3rd Place: Isaac Harrison
Citizenship Education Teacher:
Grades K-5: Christy Hall, Reed Elementary
Grades 6-8: Wendy Spiers, Eagle Middle School
Grades 9-12: Kristin Wall, Frank Church Alt. High School