Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!
Want to catch up on everything that happened this year? You can watch the full virtual Parade of Winners ceremony which was streamed live on Facebook, or see this year's complete list of winners.Įach year, nearly 68,800 students in grades 6-8 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. Watch as Daniela delivered her speech during the VFW's virtual Parade of Winners award ceremony. Daniela VFW Post 9486 and its Auxiliary in Centereach, New York. Daniela's speech on the theme, "America: Where Do We Go from Here?" won her a $30,000 college scholarship.
Download and complete the 2022-2023 Voice of Democracy entry form here.ĭaniela Mare, a junior at Sachem High School North in Lake Ronkonkoma, New York, was named the 2021-2022 Voice of Democracy first place winner. Before submitting your essay, read the rules and eligibility requirements, and find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Each year, nearly 25,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.