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FRANKLIN

Sgt. (USMC) Jayton D. Patterson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4411 Franklin is now accepting entries for its 2020-2021 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions. The VFW’s VOD and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions help foster patriotism among today’s youth. The VOD audio-essay competition, with the theme “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?” is open to students in grades 9-12. Each state winner competes for the top national $30,000 scholarship prize.

Students in grades 6-8 compete in the Patriot’s Pen competition by answering this year’s theme, “What is Patriotism to Me?” Entrants vie for the top award of $5,000.

Student entries, accompanied with a completed entry form, may be mailed or dropped of at VFW Post 4411 at 3385 Beaver Dam Road, Franklin, VA 23851. PDFs may be submitted to VFW4411@gmail.com.

The deadline for both contests is Oct. 31. Students must be enrolled in public, private, parochial school or in a home study program by the deadline. The Post-level scholarship is $500 for the VOD winner and $350 for the Patriot’s Pen’s winner.

Students, parents, and teachers can pick-up an entry form at VFW Post 4411 or download and print the student entry form at: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.

For additional information, contact this year’s Youth Award Program coordinators: Comrade Phil Haley at 759-1955; or Auxiliary Member Kathy Ramage at 646-3364.