Patriot's Pen Youth ESSOY Contest 2012-2013

Veterans of Foreign Wars
406 W. 34th Street
Kansas City, MO 64111

Phone: 816-756-3390
Fax: 816-968-1149
Email: info@vfw.org
http://www.vfw.org

Purpose of award: To give students in grades 6 through 8 an opportunity to write essays that express their views on democracy.
Eligibility requirements: Applicants must be enrolled as a 6th, 7th or 8th grader in a public, private or parochial school in the U.S., its territories .or possessions. Home-schooled students and dependents of U.S. military Of civilian personnel in overseas schools may also apply. Foreign exchange students and former applicants who placed in the national finals are ineligible. Students must submit essays based on an annual theme to their local VFW posts. If an essay is picked to advance, . the entry is judged at the District (regional) level, then the Department (state) level and finally at the National level. Essays are judged 30 percent on knowledge of the theme, 35 percent on development of the theme and 35 percent on clarity.
Target applicant: Junior high students or younger
Minimum GPA: None
Amount: Up to $10,000.
Number of awards: Varies
Deadline: November 1.
How to apply: Applications are available online or by contacting the local VFW office. Entries must be turned into the local VFW office. Contact information for these offices can be found online or by calling the VFW National Programs headquarters at 816-968-1117.