With a new school year underway, Georgetown VFW Post 8587 and its Auxiliary are sponsoring essay and art contests open to students in Georgetown, Jarrell and Florence.
The local VFW essay contests are part of larger nationwide competitions, ongoing since 1947. Each year, an estimated 25,000 students nationwide compete for more than $2 million in scholarships. But it all starts at local levels, including through the VFW Post at 1000 North College Street, where applications are available through a QR code.
Or, for the Patriot’s Pen (written) and Voice of Democracy (audio), go to https://bit.ly/3TZl9fA
Both Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy require blind submissions. Students will not put their names or where they attend school on their essays.
“Everybody’s on equal footing,” Post Commander John McCleskey said.
According to stated eligibility requirements: “Students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence – for which the application has not been denied – and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity.”
Patriot’s Pen
The Patriot’s Pen competition is a written essay contest open to sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students in Georgetown, Jarrell and Florence, as well as parochial school students and home schoolers.
Auxiliary President Lauren Sanchez and three other Auxiliary members will do the judging.
“We’re just excited to be able to participate and help the VFW,” she said.
“All submissions have to go online,” Mr. McCleskey said. “In past years they all came to the Post. Lauren will be going to all the middle schools to get the word out.”
The Patriot’s Pen theme is “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.” Written essays should be 300 to 400 words. The application deadline is before midnight October 31.
The local winner will receive a $500 prize from Post 8587, before moving on to district, state or national competition. Cash prizes for second and third-place essays will also be awarded, but only the first-place essay will advance to the next level.
“Overall, they have the opportunity to earn up to $35,000,” Mr. McCleskey said.
Contact Ms. Sanchez at lauren131925@gmail.com
Voice of Democracy
The Voice of Democracy competition is a recorded essay contest open to high school students. As with Patriot’s Pen, public school students in Georgetown, Jarrell and Florence may participate. So can home school students and those attending religious schools.
The Voice of Democracy theme is also “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”
Contestants will submit recorded essays of three to five minutes, to be accompanied by a word document. The application deadline is before midnight Oct. 31.
“There’s no word limit, whatever it takes,” Mr. McCleskey said. He emphasized the VFW’s team of judges will take qualities such as tone and modulation into account, noting, “When you record it, I’ve got to believe what you’re saying.”
The local Voice of Democracy winner will receive $1,000 and move on to higher competition levels. Cash prizes will also go to those finishing second and third.
The national winner could potentially earn up to $50,000, Mr. McCleskey said.
Teacher of the Year
Post 8587 is also sponsoring a Teacher of the Year contest. Any student, parent or school employee may submit a nomination for any state-certified teacher in Georgetown, Florence or Jarrell. As with the essay contests, Teacher of the Year is also open to parochial school teachers and home-school educators if they have state certification.
According to the National VFW: “Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism are prime candidates for this award. For example, do you know a teacher who plans field trips to city hall or organizes community volunteer projects? Maybe you know an instructor who invites veterans into the classroom to discuss their military experiences. Perhaps you are familiar with a teacher who fosters the development of democratic values and beliefs through special projects.”
If teachers submit themselves as nominees, they must include their teaching certificate, resume and a head shot if they have one, Mr. McCleskey said.
The winning teacher will receive $1,000 and $500 will go to his or her school.
The local Teacher of the Year advances to district competition, with state and national levels to follow. The national winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to the VFW’s national convention in July 2027.
Mr. McCleskey said those interested can go to the Post’s website or contact him reached at 210-763-3559 or jdmccleskey1117@gmail.com
Auxiliary Art Contest
Ms. Sanchez said the Post’s Auxiliary is sponsoring a “Young American Patriotic Art Contest” for high school students (grades 9-12). Eligibility is the same as for the essay contests.
Judges are looking for two-dimensional art – at least 8-by-10 inches and no larger than 18-by-24 inches – she said. Photographs and digital art are not eligible.
“You are having to use watercolor or pencil or something like that,” Ms. Sanchez explained.
Entries should be dropped off at Post 8587, 1000 North College Street. A $350 prize will be awarded.
The deadline is March 31, 2027, and for more information contact Ms. Sanchez at lauren131925@gmail.com