PARIS — The VFW annual scholarship contests are underway, with an entry deadline of Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Patriots Pen: Middle school students (grades six to eight) submit a written essay of 300-400 words on the theme, “America’s Gift to My Generation.”
Voice of Democracy: High school students submit a three-to-five-minute recorded audio essay on the theme, “American History: Our Hope for the Future.”
All entries begin at the post level. Individual students may submit their entry directly to the local post.
Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW district (regional) level, where the first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The one first-place winner at that level advances to the national competition.
The top prize for Patriots Pen is $5,000. The overall national winner for Voice of Democracy gets a scholarship of $30,000.
District 9 posts include:
• Floyd A. Harlow Jr. Post 9786, South Paris: email [email protected], www.vfw9787.org, 207-890-8176.
• Capt. Frank W. Hulett Post 1603, Auburn: www.vfw1603.org, 207-783-2561.
• Robert Shand Post 1641, Rumford: 207-369-0302.
• Frank L. Mitchell Post 3335, Jay: www.vfwpost3335.org, 207-897-5112, email [email protected].
• James Longley-Normand Dionne Post 9150, Lewiston: 207- 688-2291.
• Greene Memorial Post 11032, Greene.
Posts 9787, 1603 and 3335 can also be found on Facebook. Other posts can be found via the national website, www.vfw.org.
A teacher who demonstrates outstanding commitment to teaching citizenship education can be nominated for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.
The VFW Teacher of the Year contest recognizes three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students. Each year, a classroom elementary, junior high and high school teacher whose curriculum focuses on citizenship education topics can be nominated for the the award.
Nominations start at the post level and must be received by Oct. 31. Co-workers, principals, students and parents can all nominate a teacher. Details and application forms are available at www.vfw.org.
Winners receive a $1,000 award for professional development expenses; a $1,000 award for the school; two award plaques; one for the teacher, the other for the school; and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW conference to receive the award.