VFW Post 7824 • Vancouver, Washington
VFW Youth Scholarship Programs
Inspiring patriotism, civic responsibility, leadership, and appreciation for America through writing and scholarship opportunities.
Student Opportunity
Encouraging the Next Generation
VFW Post 7824 works with students, parents, teachers, and local schools to encourage participation in patriotic writing programs for students in grades 3 through 12.
Scholarship Opportunities
Depending on the program, eligible students can compete for recognition and awards at the Post, District, Department, and national levels.
Student Leadership
Each program encourages students to think critically, develop their own ideas, and express what citizenship means to them.
School Partnerships
Teachers and school staff can use these programs to support writing, speaking, civics, history, and leadership education.
2026–2027
Scholarship and Essay Programs
Select the program that corresponds with 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.
- Open to eligible students in grades 9 through 12
- Entry includes an MP3 audio recording and typed transcript
- Audio essay length: 3 to 5 minutes, within the official tolerance
- Washington entries must use the sponsoring Post’s Scholars App process
- Student entry deadline: October 31, 2026
- National first-place scholarship: $35,000
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.
- Open to eligible students in grades 6 through 8
- Essay length: 300 to 400 words, within the official tolerance
- Washington entries must use the sponsoring Post’s Scholars App process
- Student entry deadline: October 31, 2026
- National first-place award: $5,000
Washington Youth Essay
Washington State Essay Program
The Washington Youth Essay program introduces elementary students to patriotic writing while encouraging respect for American history, citizenship, and the flag.
- Open to Washington students in grades 3 through 5
- Maximum essay length: 250 words
- Essay may be clearly handwritten, typed, or computer prepared
- A completed state entry form and parent signature are required
- Student name, city, and school must appear only on the entry form
- Entries are due to the sponsoring Post by October 31, 2026
Student Entry Deadline
Entries must be received through the applicable program process by midnight on October 31, 2026. Students should confirm the local submission method before the deadline.
Important Dates
Program Timeline
These dates outline the progression from student submission through Department-level judging.
Student Entries Due
Students submit completed entries through the required local Post process by midnight.
Post Winners Advance
Post winners are promoted or forwarded to District by midnight. Advancement ratios follow the applicable program rules.
District Winners Advance
The District advances its qualifying winner or winners to the VFW Department of Washington by midnight.
After Department Judging
Finalists Receive Recognition
Qualifying winners continue to Department or national competition for additional recognition, scholarships, and awards.
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 the Washington Youth Essay based on the student’s grade.
Review the Rules
Read all eligibility, length, formatting, recording, and submission requirements before beginning.
Create the Entry
Students should develop an original response addressing the assigned theme in their own words.
Submit by the Deadline
Use the required Scholars App process for Voice of Democracy or Patriot’s Pen, or submit the Washington Youth Essay form and essay to the sponsoring Post, by October 31, 2026.
Official Materials
Student and Teacher Resources
Review official program information, entry materials, and Washington State requirements before submitting.
Voice of Democracy
National program information for students in grades 9 through 12.
Open the official entry formPatriot’s Pen Entry Form
Official 2026–2027 national entry form and contest rules.
Open the entry formWashington Youth Essay Form
Entry form and rules for Washington students in grades 3 through 5.
Open the Washington entry formWashington Judging Sheet
Scoring guide for evaluating Washington Youth Essay entries.
Open the judging score sheetQuestions 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
Themes, eligibility, awards, forms, advancement procedures, and deadlines are governed by current VFW National and VFW Department of Washington materials. Official links were reviewed . Students should review the complete official materials before submitting.
