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The La Salle Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4668 and Auxiliary announced the kick-off of the auxiliary’s annual scholarships and contests for kindergarten through high school students who may compete for scholarships and prizes.
High school contests
Voice of Democracy: This audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in a patriotic-themed recorded essay. The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to their American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarships range from $1,000 to $21,000, and the first-place winner from each state wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Applications must be turned in to the La Salle VFW 4668 by midnight Oct. 31, 2025. Read the rules and eligibility requirements at www.vfw.org.
Young American Patriotic Art Contest: Students submit an original 2D piece of artwork. Student entries must be submitted to the VFW auxiliary by March 31, 2025. The first-place winner from each auxiliary advances to the state competition. First-place winners compete for their share of $37,000 in national awards, and the national first-place winner wins a $15,000 scholarship. To download an entry form, visit www.vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.
3D Patriotic Art Contest: Students submit an original 3D piece of artwork. Entries must be submitted to the VFW auxiliary by March 31, 2025. State first-place winners compete for their share of $5,500 in national awards, and the national first-place winner is awarded a $2,500 scholarship. For entry forms, visit https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.
Grade school contests
Patriot’s Pen: Students in sixth through eighth grades may enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000. Draft a 300- to 400-word essay based on a patriotic theme. Entries are due to the VFW by midnight Oct. 31, 2025. Read the rules at www.vfw.org.
Illustrating America: Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in this patriotic art contest that encourages students’ artistic abilities as they express how they see America through drawings and paintings. The contest consists of three grade divisions: kindergarten through second, third through fifth and sixth through eighth. Winners in each division receive Visa gift cards ranging in value from $25 to $100. Entries are due to the VFW by March 31, 2025. Learn more at vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/youth-activities.