VFW Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen Competition

Crivitz VFW Post 2063 is again sponsoring two essay competitions for area students. Patriot’s Pen is a written essay competition for youths in grades 6, 7, and 8 and gives students an opportunity to express their views on an annual theme. This year’s theme is, "“How Can I Be A Good American?”. The second competition is The Voice of Democracy. This is the VFW's scholarship program and is open to students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school, or a home study program. This year's theme is “America: Where Do We Go From Here?”.

Prize money and scholarships are awarded at the post, district, state and national levels. The amount of the awards for the top three winners of each competition at the local level has been increased from previous years. The new amounts for the Patriot’s Pen competition are $300, $200, and $100 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively. The previous amounts were $150, $100, and $50. The scholarship awards for the Voice of Democracy are $400, $300, and $200 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Previous amounts were $200, $150, and $100. 

The top national award is for the Patriot’s Pen is $5,000, The top national award for the Voice of Democracy is $30,000. The winner of the Voice of Democracy competition at the state level receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C.

Deadline for submission of the entry form and completed essays to the Post for both competitions is Oct. 31. Entry forms are available Crivitz High School, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy, and on-line at “vfw voice of democracy form 2021-22” or “vfw patriot's pen form 2021-22”.  E-mail submissions to mpaitrick@gmail.com.   

For students participating in the Voice of Democracy competition, contact Commander Paitrick for instructions on submitting the oral essays. Additional information and entry forms are also available from VFW Post 2063 by e-mailing Commander Mary Paitrick at mpaitrick@gmail.com.