Patriot's Pen

Patriot's Pen, a youth essay writing contest, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6th, 7th and 8th the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Last year, more than 120,000 students participated in the annual contest.

Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. The first place winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top 35 national winners each receive a savings bond of $1,000.

YOU TOO CAN WIN!

WHO CAN ENTER:
The Patriot's Pen program is open to students in grades 6-8, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.

HOW TO ENTER:
Students should first ask a teacher or youth group leader to supervise their progress in the competition. Then the student should contact a local participating VFW Post and establish a contact person who is a member of that Post or its Ladies Auxiliary.

Next, it's time to start drafting considering the 2011-2012 theme: "Are You Proud of Your Country?" Essays must be no less than 300 words and should not exceed 400 words and should be submitted to the Post, along with the completed Patriot's Pen entry form no later than November 1, 2011.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points: You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively.

Theme development is worth 35 points: Answer all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences.

Clarity of ideas is worth 35 points: Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.

Deadline November 1, 2011
 

VFW Post 6899 and Ladies Auxiliary award local Patriot's Pen scholarships:

First Place: $500 Savings Bond
Second Place: $200 Savings Bond
Third Place: $200 Savings Bond

• We will submit the winning entry to VFW District 19 for for competition within our District.

• The District winning entry will be submitted to Department of Texas VFW for competition at the state level. There are awards or more scholarships at each of these levels.

• The State winning entry will be submitted to National VFW for national competition and the winner of that competition will receive a $10,000 savings bond.

All students interested in entering the Patriot's Pen Contest should contact their school counselor or VFW Post 6899 at 936-594-9467 or email at info@vfwpost6899.org.

Mail applications to:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6899
PO Box 883
Trinity, TX 75862

Attn: Scholarship Committee

Site designed and maintained by S. G. McLeod
Contact us at info@vfwpost6899.org