Scholar’s App

Scholarships in Tennessee

These are all open scholarships for students either resident in or looking to study in Tennessee. Select other state

  • Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid-South Scholarship
    Applicants for this scholarship must have been a member of **AQHYA** or **AQHA** for at least one year who is from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi or Tennessee, and who competes in AQHA-approved shows.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 10 - Post 5066
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $250.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 10 - Post 684
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 10 - Post 7175
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 11 - Post 6296
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $150.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 11 - Post 9686
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 1990
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 2108
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 2166
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 3380
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 4933
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 5266
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 6908
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 9543
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 9754
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post awarding: $150.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 10025
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 10855
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $50.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 12051
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 12135
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 5150
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 5154
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 5669
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 3 - Post 2598
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 3 - Post 4848
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 3 - Post 5146
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $300.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 3 - Post 5156
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 3 - Post 5772
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 4 - Post 2120
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 4 - Post 5015
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 4 - Post 9806
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $75.00 and certificate All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 4 - Post 9851
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $300.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 10904
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 12206
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $150.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 1893
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 2167
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 4575
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competTennesseeTennesseeition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 4577
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 5064
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $50.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 5109
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 6 - Post 11160
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 6 - Post 1970
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 6 - Post 4730
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 6 - Post 4895
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $150.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 6 - Post 8422
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 7 - Post 4893
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 7 - Post 4967
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 7 - Post 4969
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 7 - Post 9689
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 8 - Post 1294
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 8 - Post 1848
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 8 - Post 2109
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 8 - Post 2949
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 8 - Post 4939
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** Post Awarding: $150.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 9 - Post 1972
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 9 - Post 4780
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 9 - Post 4798
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 9 - Post 4840
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Patriot's Pen - Tennessee - District 9 - Post 4862
    Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. **What Is the Theme?** VFW's Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year's theme. The 2023-2024 theme is: **"How Are You Inspired by America?"** The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and National level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. **The first-place national award is currently $5,000.** All entries are submitted at the Post level. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition) **Eligibility:** **Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.) **Contest Rules:** * You must write your own essay. The essay must be the contestant's original work and product of the contestant's own thinking. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. * Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics. 300 - 400 words in length (+ or - 5 words max). Every word is counted. * **In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay** (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) * Do not put your name on your essay **Judging Criteria:** * **Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points:** You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate that you have researched the issue extensively. * **Theme development is worth 35 points:** Answer all relevant facts about the theme, such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences. * **Clarity of Ideas is worth 35 points:** Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 10 - Post 5066
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $750.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 10 - Post 684
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 10 - Post 7175
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 11 - Post 6296
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $150.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 11 - Post 9686
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 1990
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 2108
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 2166
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 3380
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 4933
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 5266
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 6908
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 9543
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 1 - Post 9754
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post awarding: $150.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 10025
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 10855
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 12051
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 12135
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District2 - Post 5150
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $200 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 5154
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 2 - Post 5669
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 3 - Post 2598
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 3 - Post 4848
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 3 - Post 5146
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 3 - Post 5156
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 3 - Post 5772
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 4 - Post 2120
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 4 - Post 5015
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 4 - Post 9806
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $75.00 and certificate All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 4 - Post 9851
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $300.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 10904
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 12206
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $200.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 1893
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 2167
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 4575
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 4577
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 5064
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $50.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 5 - Post 5109
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 6 - Post 11160
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 6 - Post 1970
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 6 - Post 4730
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 6 - Post 4895
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $200.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 6 - Post 8422
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 7 - Post 4893
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 7 - Post 4967
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 7 - Post 4969
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 7 - Post 9689
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $200 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 8 - Post 1294
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 8 - Post 1848
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 8 - Post 2109
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $100.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 8 - Post 2949
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 8 - Post 4939
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. Post Awarding: $150.00 All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 9 - Post 1972
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 9 - Post 4780
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 9 - Post 4798
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 9 - Post 4840
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.
  • VFW - Voice of Democracy - Tennessee - District 9 - Post 4862
    Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is **"What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?"** Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and receive their portion of $171,000 in national awards, the top award scholarship being $35,000. All entries are submitted at the Post level. **The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline** who are enrolled in a public private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible. **Essay & Video Instructions** * Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay. * You will submit the recording and typed essay via an upload to your Scholar's App application. * You must be the sole author of your essay. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. * Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. **Note**: * No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. * The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin). **Judging Criteria** * **Originality is worth 30 points**: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest. * **Content is worth 35 points**: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. * **Delivery is worth 35 points**: Speak in a clear and credible manner.