VFW announces essay contest

The West Orange VFW Post 4305 is participating in the annual patriotic essay contests, and winners can earn scholarships and cash. High school students interested in a $35,000 college scholarship and middle school students interested in winning $5,000 can enter the contest. Entries are due to the local post, 1170 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, by Oct. 31.

The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth- through 12th-grade students enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarships range from $1,000 to $21,000, and the first-place winner from each state VFW department wins at least a scholarship of $1,000.

The 2023-24 theme is "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000.

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay expressing their views based on a patriotic theme. This year’s theme is "How Are You Inspired by America?"

For information and complete rules, visit bit.ly/3S4pZI8.