Patriots Pen

VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest.

2024-2025 theme is: "My Voice in America's Democracy?"

Youth (grades 6-8) Scholarship of $5,000
Essay deadline Oct. 31, 2024

For submissions to Maricopa VFW Post 12043 contact
Eric Lopez 480-721-1955 or
at the post 520-233-2400 (option #1)

Enrollment Information & Form

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2023-2024 theme is: "How Does America Inspire You?"

This year in grades 6-8, Maricopa schools had 11 entities for the
VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest.
The three top winners are: 1st Place Drake Amerman; 2nd Place Grace N Jackson; 3rd Place Elianna Vargas.

The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $55,000, with each first-place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level.

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. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements and download the entry form and brochure before submitting your entry to your local VFW Post.