The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Working alongside America’s youth and instilling a sense of patriotism has always been a VFW priority. Each year local VFW posts hold three essay competitions, the Voice of Democracy for grades 9-12, the Patriots Pen for grades 6-8, and the Youth Essay for grades 3-5. Students write essays based on given patriotic themes and the essays are evaluated by the local post. Last year, first, second, and third place winners of the essay competition were recognized with certificates and a total of $1,525 in cash awards from Wahkiakum Post 5297.

First and second place Youth Essay post winners compete up to the District 16 regional level, winning certificates and cash awards. Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy post winners compete up through District 16 and state levels, and if successful, to the national level, winning certificates and cash awards at each level.

In the Patriot’s Pen competition, each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and national first-place winner wins $5000. National Patriot’s Pen awards total $55,000.

In the Voice of Democracy competition, the first-place winner from each state winner wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C., to tour the city, and be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary. National Voice of Democracy awards total $154,000. The national first-place winner receives a $3,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college, or vocational/technical school.

Applications for all the essay competitions were handed out to the Wahkiakum School District on September 1. Students have been busy working on their essays which are due to the post by October 31.