PATRIOT'S PEN

2025-2025 Theme
"How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?"
 
Each year, more than 60,000 students in grades 6-8 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 chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Download and complete the 2025-2026 entry form here and submit through us.  Applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31st. 
 
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Please note this year VFW National is using Scholar's App, a cloud-based system to aide in streamlining how the VFW manages the Patriot's Pen scholarship program. Students can simply go online and create an account to submit their application electronically.
 
For more information, please visit the VFW Department of Virginia Scholar's App webpage.
 
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Send us an email if you have questions.
 
About the 2024-25 national winner ...

Evelyn Newbigging, an eighth grade student from Lancaster, South Carolina, was named the 2024-2025 Patriot's Pen first place winner. Her essay on the theme, "My Voice in America's Democracy?" won the national first place $5,000 award.  Watch as Newbigging delivered her winning essay, during the VFW's Parade of Winners streamed live.