The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary have many scholarship opportunities. Students in public, private, parochial, and home school are encouraged to compete.
This fall there is the Patriot’s Pen essay contest for grades sixth through eighth and the Voice of Democracy contest for grades nine through twelve. The Patriot’s Pen essay is a 300-400 word type written essay on the subject “What is Patriotism to Me?’ The Voice of Democracy audio essay is a three to five minute recorded essay. The theme this year “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?” The deadline for both is Oct. 31 to the local VFW or Auxiliary.
In the spring there is the Illustrating America art contest and the Young American Creative Patriot art contest. Illustrating America is for students in grades first through eighth and the deadline is March 31, 2021. The Young American Creative Patriotic contest is for high school students. The deadline is April 10, 2021. The only theme is Americanism or Patriotism.
New this year is the “Get Excited for the Red, White, and Blue” a national anthem the singing contest. Individual youth ages 6-16 are encouraged to video themselves singing and performing the Star Spangled Banner. Video entries must be submitted to the local auxiliary by March 31, 2021.
More traditional scho-larship applications are also available. The Frank Brown Scholarship is open to children and grandchildren of VFW or Auxiliary members. The Deadline is April 30, 2021.
The Lillian Campbell Medical scholarship is for students who have completed the first year of study in a medical field. There is also an EMT scholarship available. The applicant or member of his/her immediate family must have served in the military. The deadline for these scholarships is April 1, 2021.
The Frank Brown Veteran to Teacher scholarship will be presented to a veteran of the United States Armed Forces attending a college or university who has successful completed the first year of studies and declared a major in education. The deadline is May 31, 2021.
The Continuing Education scholarship is available to auxiliary members and the Sports Clips Help a Hero scholarships are given to military personnel.
Rules and entry forms are available online, from the local VFW or Auxiliary representatives, or school guidance counselors. Prizes are awarded on local, Department, and National levels for many of these opportunities. More information is available on the VFW or Auxiliary website or from members. Locally, questions can be directed to John and Sue Zouski at 715-335-6900 or 69slski@gmail.com.
