2021-2022 sd YOUNG AMERICAN CREATIVE PATRIOTIC ARt contest

Who is Eligible to Apply?

• Applicant must be 18 years of age or older.

Applicant must be one of the following:

• Current VFW Auxiliary Member*
• Spouse of current VFW Auxiliary Member*
• Son of current VFW Auxiliary Member*
• Daughter of current VFW Auxiliary Member*

*Qualifying member must have been a member of the VFW Auxiliary for one (1) year by the application submission deadline.

What is the Scholarship Amount?

Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded each year, one in each of the four VFW Auxiliary Conferences.

What are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?

Each applicant must:

• Answer all questions on the Continuing Education Scholarship application
• Write a brief essay (no more than 300 words) describing their commitment to their goals and how this scholarship will help them attain these goals.

What are the Scholarship Deadlines?

• July 1: Application process begins.
• February 15: All applications must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*
• May 1: Scholarship recipients are notified.

* required deadlines

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Continuing Education Scholarship Application

 Who is Eligible to Apply?

• Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
• Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence status (the application for which has not been denied) to become a U.S. citizen.
• Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or older, GED and adult education students, or national winners of previous Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contests are ineligible.

What is the Scholarship Amount?

• The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $34,000.

What are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?

• Two-dimensional art must be on canvas or paper. Watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker or other media taught may be used.
• Do not frame two-dimensional pieces.
• Submit canvas entries on a stretcher frame or canvas board. Other entries, if matted, must be matted in white. Do not use color mats. Reinforce the back with heavy paper. Mounted and floating mats may also be used.
• The art should be no smaller than 8” x 10” but no larger than 18” x 24”, not including mat.
• Complete entry form and attach to back of entry.
• Submit a typed explanation of patriotism expressed in art (250 words or less).

What are the Scholarship Contest Deadlines?

• March 31: Student Entry Deadline to VFW Auxiliary.*
• April 15: VFW Auxiliary winners due to Department (state) Scholarships Chairman for judging.*
• May 5:  VFW Auxiliary Department (state) Winners to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*

* required deadlines

Digital art, photography and jewelry are NOT ACCEPTED.

The 2022-23 theme is: "My Pledge to Our Veterans."

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Young American Creative Patriotic 2D Art Contest Application

Who is Eligible to Apply?

• Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
• Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence status (the application for which has not been denied) to become a U.S. citizen.
• Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or older, GED and adult education students are ineligible.

What is the Scholarship Amount?

• The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $4,000.

What are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?

• Three-dimensional art can be paper, papier-mâché, pottery, clay, metal work, fabric, etc.
• Pieces should be no larger than 18” in any direction.
• Art cannot be more than 5 lbs. in weight.
• Complete entry form and submit with entry.
• Submit a typed explanation of patriotism expressed in art (250 words or less).

What are the Scholarship Contest Deadlines?

• March 31: Student Entry Deadline to VFW Auxiliary.*
• April 15: VFW Auxiliary winners due to Department (state) Scholarships Chairman for judging.*
• May 5:  VFW Auxiliary Department (state) Winners to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*

* required deadlines

Digital art, photography and jewelry are NOT ACCEPTED.

Learn More

Young American Creative Patriotic 3D Art Contest Application

WHO CAN ENTER

Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.)

HOW TO ENTER

All essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics and 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 word max). The essay must be contestant’s original work and a product of the contestant’s own thinking. The approach to the Patriot’s Pen theme should be positive and clearly focused. Poetry is not acceptable. The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, 

race, or national origin) Quotations may be used sparingly if plainly identified wherever used. A contestant’s teacher, counselor or parent may check the essay for punctuation, grammar and/or spelling, but the content must remain the contestant’s.

Students can ask a teacher or youth group leader to supervise their progress in the competition. Your Patriot's Pen entry must be submitted to a participating VFW Post by the Oct. 31 deadline.

The 2022-23 theme is: "My Pledge to Our Veterans."

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Patriots Pen Contest Application

WHO CAN ENTER

The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous 

Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible.

HOW TO ENTER

Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 second max.) audio essay on a flash drive, or other electronic device. You will submit the recording, typed essay and this completed entry form. Provide these items to your school/group competition or VFW Post for judging.

You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin) although the recording & typed essay should be labeled with your name, to show ownership. Your Voice of Democracy entry must be submitted to a participating VFW Post by the Oct. 31 deadline.

The 2022-23 theme is: "Why is the Veteran Important?"

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Voice of Democracy Application