Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ironsides Post 9561

Voice of Democracy

 2011-2012 Theme

"Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military?"

Entry Deadline

Nov. 1, 2011

Each year, more than 51,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the $2.2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition.

The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarships range from $1,000- $16,000 and the first-place winner from each (State) VFW Department wins an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.  

WHO CAN ENTER:
The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12, 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 draft their essay based on the 2011-2012 theme: "Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military?" Students should then record their reading of the draft to a CD. The recording should be no shorter than 3 minutes and no longer than 5 minutes (plus or minus 5 seconds).

Entries begin at the Post level. Once the student has created their essay and completed burning the audio version to a CD, they should submit their typed version, CD and the Voice of Democracy entry form to their local participating VFW Post no later than November 1, 2011. 

•  Access Entry Form and Complete Contest Rules  

JUDGING CRITERIA:
Originality is worth 30 points: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest

Content is worth 35 points: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the other.

Delivery is worth 35 points: Speak in a clear and credible manner.

For more information contact us at 530-629-3810. 



Patriot's Pen

2011-2012 Theme
"Are You Proud of Your Country?"
Entry Deadline
Nov. 1, 2011

Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate in the contest.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2009-2010. The Patriot's Pen program is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to express their opinions based on an annual theme.

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.

• Access Entry Form and Complete Contest Rules  

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.


For more information contact us at 530-629-3810.


*Historically, the themes (annually chosen by the VFW commander-in-chief) are purposely kept broad in scope to allow the participant flexibility in interpretation to encourage originality. Since the VFW is a patriotic organization, the annual theme always will be related to patriotism.

VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship

HOW TO ENTER:
Deadlines:
Submit entry to VFW Post 9561: March 1, 2012

Posts submit local winner to VFW Department: April 1, 2012

Department nominees to VFW National: May 1, 2012

The VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship program provides a $5,000 award to an outstanding scout who is the recipient of a Boy Scout Eagle Award, a Venture Scouting Silver Award or a Sea Scout Quartermaster Award. Second-place winner receives a $3,000 award. Third-place winner receives $1,000.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Be a registered, active member of a Boy Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or a Sea Scout Ship; Has received the Eagle Scout Award, Venture Silver Award or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award; Has demonstrated practical citizenship in school, scouting and the community; Has reached his/her 15th birthday and is enrolled in high school at the time of selection; and Has submitted his/her completed entry by March 1, 2012, to VFW Post 9561 in his/her community. Note: All applicants still in high school who reach their 18th birthday during the nomination year remain eligible if otherwise qualified. A scout only can enter through ONE VFW Post. To enter, download and complete the VFW Scouting Scholarship form and submit to  VFW Post 9561, PO Box 243, Willow Creek, CA 95573 by March 1, 2011. For more information on the scouting award, please contact Susan Wilson, Program Coordinator, VFW Programs, at swilson@vfw.org or call (816) 756-3390, Ext. 220.   Teacher of the Year Award The VFW's National Citizenship Education Teachers' Award recognizes the nation's top elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America's history and traditions. Nearly 1,000 teachers are from every state, the District of Columbia and overseas. Fellow teachers, supervisors or other interested individuals can submit nominations by November 1 to VFW Post 9561, PO Box 243, Willow Creek, CA 95573. VFW's National citizenship education teacher awards include: $1,000 cash award for professional development to each of the top K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 teachers; $1,000 award for each winning teacher's school;and plaques for both the winning teacher and school. Teacher of the Year Nomination Form and Brochure

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