Betty Peer

Tom Whittenberg, Jr. Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8053 today announced the kick-off of several scholarship competition programs of the VFW and its Auxiliary.

1. Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest is open to all students, including homeschooled students, in grades six through eight. Post winners will advance to District level, District to State and State to National. Cash prizes are available at each level. The State winner also receives an expense paid trip to Washington DC and an opportunity to win $5000. This year’s topic is “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.” A complete list of all rules and entry forms can be found at the VFW website at www.vfw.org; click on community; in drop down tab, click on programs. Entry deadline is November 1.

2. Voice of Democracy Audio/Essay Contest is open to all students, including homeschooled students, in grades nine through 12. Like Patriot’s Pen, winners will advance at each level with the State winner receiving an expense paid trip to Washington DC and an opportunity to win a $30,000 scholarship. This year’s topic is “Why Veterans are Important to our Nation’s History and Future.” A complete list of all rules and entry forms can be found at www.vfw.org; click on community; in drop down tab, click on programs. Entry deadline is November 1.

3. Teacher of the Year is open to all teachers K-12 who spend at least one-half day in the classroom and who teach citizenship education regularly as well as promote America’s history, traditions and institutions effectively. Nominations can be submitted by fellow teachers, supervisors or other interested individuals (not relatives). Self-nominations are not eligible. Entry form and rules are available at www.vfw.org; click on community; in drop down tab, click on programs. Entry deadline is November 1.

4. The VFW Auxiliary sponsors a Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. Any student who is an American citizen enrolled in grades nine through 12 (including homeschooled students) may participate. The top entry will go from local judging to State and National. Cash prizes are awarded at each level with the National first place winner receiving a $10,000 scholarship. For all rules and entry forms go to www.lavfwaz.org; click on resources; under programs click on scholarship resources. Scroll down to links and select Patriotic Art. Entry deadline is March 31, 2015.

5. The VFW Auxiliary will also be accepting applications from high school seniors to compete for scholarship awards. Applicant must be a resident of Arizona and the son, daughter, sister, brother, grandson or granddaughter of a member of the VFW or the VFW Auxiliary. For complete rules and application go to www.lavfwaz.org; click on resources; under programs click on scholarship resources. Scroll down to links and select State Scholarship. Application deadline is April 1, 2015.

For more information contact Tom or Sandra Whittenberg, VFW Post 8053; phone 270-978-1031.