The VFW-Sponsored Patriot’s Pen Scholarship Essay Writing Contest is open to students in grades 6-8, who are enrolled in a public, private, parochial 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 their local or closest participating VFW Post and establish a contact person who is a current member of that Post or its Ladies Auxiliary.
- Find a post near you HERE..
- Next, start drafting your essay around the 2014-2015 Theme: Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.
- Essays must be no less than 300 words and should not exceed 400 words.
- Submit your completed essay to the Post in your area, along with the completed Patriot’s Pen entry form no later than November 1st. That post will notify you by November 15th if you have been selected as their winning entry. Winning entries at the Post level will be forwarded to the District level competition. District winning entries advance to the Department or State level, and winning Department entries are then entered in the National Competition.
- Access Entry Form HERE
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.
