VFW Post 7824 · Vancouver, Washington
VFW Youth Scholarship Programs
Patriotic writing and scholarship opportunities for students in grades 3 through 12, with local support from VFW Post 7824.
No entry fee — participation is freeStudent Opportunity
Encouraging the Next Generation
VFW Post 7824 works with students, families, teachers, counselors, and schools to encourage participation in patriotic writing programs for grades 3 through 12.
Scholarship Opportunities
Eligible students can earn recognition and awards as entries advance through Post, District, Department, and—when applicable—national competition.
Student Leadership
Each program encourages students to think critically, develop original ideas, and communicate what citizenship, history, and service mean to them.
School Partnerships
Teachers and school staff may use these programs to support writing, speaking, civics, history, and leadership education.
2026–2027
Scholarship and Essay Programs
Select the program that matches the student’s grade level.
Voice of Democracy
Recorded Audio-Essay Competition
Voice of Democracy gives high school students an opportunity to express their views on democracy, freedom, citizenship, and civic responsibility through a recorded essay.
- Eligible students in grades 9 through 12.
- Entry includes an audio recording and typed transcript.
- Audio essay length: 3 to 5 minutes, subject to the official rules and tolerance.
- Washington entries must use Scholars App.
- Student entry deadline: .
- National first-place scholarship: $35,000.
- No entry fee.
Patriot’s Pen
Written Essay Competition
Patriot’s Pen encourages middle school students to examine American history, citizenship, patriotism, and their own experiences in American society.
- Eligible students in grades 6 through 8.
- Essay length: 300 to 400 words.
- Washington entries must use Scholars App.
- Student entry deadline: .
- National first-place award: $5,000.
- No entry fee.
Washington Youth Essay
Washington State Essay Program
The Washington Youth Essay program introduces elementary students to patriotic writing while encouraging them to consider the people, principles, and history that shaped the nation.
- Open to Washington students in grades 3 through 5.
- Maximum essay length: 250 words.
- Use the current Washington Department entry form and follow its formatting requirements.
- Entries are submitted to a local VFW Post or Auxiliary.
- Post/Auxiliary winners are judged and advanced by grade under Department procedures.
- Student entry deadline: .
- No entry fee.
Student Entry Deadline
Complete entries must be submitted through the applicable program process by midnight on October 31, 2026. Students should not wait until the final day to confirm their local submission method.
Important Dates
Washington Program Timeline
These dates summarize the Washington progression for the 2026–2027 contest year. Advancement details remain subject to the current Department and National rules.
Student Entries Due
Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen entries must be uploaded through Scholars App by midnight. Washington Youth Essay entries must reach the local Post or Auxiliary by the deadline.
Post-Level Winners Advance
Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen winners are promoted through Scholars App. Washington Youth Essay Post/Auxiliary winners are forwarded to District, with grades judged separately under Department rules.
District Winners Advance
District winners advance to the VFW Department of Washington using the applicable program process.
Qualifying Winners Receive Further Recognition
Eligible Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen winners may advance to national competition. Washington Youth Essay recognition continues under Department of Washington procedures.
Getting Started
How to Participate
Students and families can begin with these four steps.
Select a Program
Choose Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen, or Washington Youth Essay according to the student’s grade.
Review the Rules
Read the current eligibility, length, formatting, recording, authorship, and submission requirements before beginning.
Create the Entry
Develop an original response to the assigned theme using the student’s own ideas and words.
Submit by October 31
Use Scholars App for Voice of Democracy or Patriot’s Pen, or follow the local Post/Auxiliary process for Washington Youth Essay.
Official Materials
Student, Family, and Teacher Resources
Review the official program information and local Post pages before submitting an entry.
Post 7824 Youth & Education
Return to the Post’s Youth & Education landing page for additional youth programs and contacts.
Open Youth & EducationPost 7824 Scholars App Information
Review Post information for Washington’s Scholars App submission process.
Open Scholars App InformationVFW National Youth Scholarships
National information for Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen, including current program materials.
Open VFW National Youth ScholarshipsVFW Department of Washington Youth Essays
Washington program information for Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen, and the Washington Youth Essay.
Open Department Youth EssaysQuestions or Need Help Getting Started?
VFW Post 7824 can assist students, parents, teachers, counselors, and school administrators with program information and local participation.
Vancouver VFW Post 7824
400 N. Andresen Road
Vancouver, WA 98661
Protect student information. Do not email Social Security numbers, birth certificates, or other sensitive personal records to the Post. Use only the information and submission method required by the applicable official form.
Program themes, eligibility, awards, forms, advancement procedures, and deadlines are governed by current VFW National and VFW Department of Washington materials. Official program information was reviewed . Students should review the complete official rules before submitting.
