Edmonds-based VFW Post 8870 has announced the details regarding its annual student essay contest, which is open for students living in the Edmonds and Mukilteo School Districts. Students attending private schools or being home-schooled are eligible to enter the contest.
The Youth Essay Program is for students in grades 3, 4 and 5. An essay, not to exceed 250 words, should address the topic “What Can I Do to Make Our Country Better?” Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three essay winners in each of the three grade levels.
Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are eligible to enter the Patriot’s Pen program involving a 300- to 400-word essay on the topic, “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.” Cash prizes are awarded to the first-, second- and third-place winning essays.
Voice of Democracy, the third program, is an audio essay contest for students in Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. To enter, a student must prepare a 3- to 5-minute recording that addresses the topic, “Why Veterans are Important to Our Nation’s History and Future.” Cash prizes will be awarded to the three entries judged to be the best. The winning entries in each of the three contests will be forwarded to the District level for further consideration.
Detailed instructions as well as an entry form that must accompany each submission can be obtained by visiting the Post’s website at www.vfw8870.org. Go to the Student Essay Program tab, and you will be able to download the information for your grade level. All contest entries, along with the completed entry form, must be submitted to VFW Post 8870 no later than Nov. 1, 2014. Youth Essay and Patriot Pen entries may be submitted online to firstname.lastname@example.org or they can be mailed to VFW Post 8870, PO Box 701, Edmonds, WA 98020. Voice of Democracy entries must be mailed to the Post.
Questions regarding the Student Essay Program can be directed to Fred Apgar, essay program coordinator, at 206-940-7502.