Veterans of Foreign Wars post 2654 & Auxiliary Sponsor Youth Essay Programs

VFW Post 2654 and Ladies Auxiliary are again sponsoring two essay contests for area youth-Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy. Entries for both contests must be received VFW Post 2654 by 5 p.m. on Monday, November 1. Both have four levels. The first level entry is sponsored locally; followed by winners being advanced to the VFW District regional level; followed by advancement to the VFW Department (State) level. One first-place winner at the Department level is the advanced into the VFW National Competition. The winner from each Department ( state) then competes for the national prizes.

On the local level, prizes are $500 for first place; $300 for second place; and $200 for third place in each contest. National winners will compete for prizes up to $10,000 for Patriot’s Pen and $30,000 for Voice Democracy.

The Patriot Pen’s program is for youth in grades 6-8 enrolled in public, private, or parochial schools and to homeschooled students. The theme for this year’s contest is “Does Patriotism Still Matter?” Entries should be typewritten in English with no color or graphics and cannot be less than 300 words or greater than 400 words in length. Every word is counted regardless of length. The essay title, theme, or added footnotes do not contribute to the word count. In no way may the contestant identify themselves within their essay and their name must not appear on the essay. The entry form is the essay’s cover sheet and should be attached to the front of the essay. The essay must be a contestant’s original work and a product of the contestant’s own thinking. Poetry is not acceptable; quotations may be used sparingly if plainly identified wherever used. Contestants are not required to present the essay orally. All entries become the property of VFW.

The Voice of Democracy contest is for youth in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program. Foreign Exchange students, students age 20 or over and previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners are ineligible. To enter, the contestant must complete an official entry form for the 2010-11 competition. This year’s theme is “Does My Generation Have a Role in America’s Future?” Each contestant must record their original 3-5 minute essay on a standard cassette tape or CD. Certain standards apply: check entry form. The completed tape or CD should be labeled and be attached to the typed essay and completed entry form. All recordings must be in the contestant’s own voice.

Hearing/speech impaired students should contact the Voice of Democracy National Office at 816-968-1117 for special instructions. No music, singing, poetry, or sound effects are allowed and your essay must not identify you in any way.

Again all entries must be received at VFW Post 2654 no later than November 1. Additional information about each contest is stated on the entry forms which can be obtained at the Post 1347 S Morley St, Moberly, MO or can be downloaded form www.vfw.org under programs. Additionally, local chairmen Pat and Harold Headrick have provided entry forms and information about the contest to local schools. Anyone having questions about either of these programs is encouraged to contact Pat or Harold at 660-263-7192 or contact the Post.