VFW essay contest entries due Oct. 31

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary has scholarship opportunities available to local Camas-Washougal students. The Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contest, open to students in grades nine through 12, asks entrants to answer the following: "Is this the country the founders envisioned?" Each state first-place winner of the Voice of Democracy contest will receive a four-day trip to Washington, D.C., and the chance for their share in scholarships. The first-place national winner will receive a $30,000 college scholarship. Local Post 4278 awards $500 to the first-place winner, $400 to the second-place finalist and $250 to the person who comes in third. In 2018-19, the group awarded Dylan Van Horn, Carson Farra, Griffen Agriello, Gabriel Dinnel and Troy Prince-Butterfield, all of Washougal High School. The 2020 theme for the Patriotic Pen essay contest, open to students in grades six through eight, is "What is patriotism to me?" The national first-place winner will win $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Local Post 4278 will award $150 to a local first-place winner, $100 to a second-place winner and $75 to the third-place essay writer. Both programs are approved by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Additionally, there is a State Junior Essay Contest for students in grades three through five. This year's Junior Essay Contest theme is "Why should we honor our veterans?" Local Post 4278 will award $50, $75 and $100 to the third-, second- and first-place winners, respectively. For more information, visit vfwpost4278.org or vfw.org under the "Programs" tab. All the submissions must be in a hard-copy format and received by the VFW Post 4278 by Oct. 31. The Voice of Democracy must also have a clear audio version of the written submission. The audio version is judged; however, a written version must also be submitted. The group also is taking submissions for Teacher of the Year. To nominate a teacher who has displayed Americanism in teaching, submit a letter to the VFW Post 4278 with the reasons why this teacher is worthy of the award. The programs are open to students in public, private and home schools. Interested students and teachers who have more questions should contact essay chairman Ray Loney at 360-903-2325. Local winners compete at the district level in December. District winners advance to the state competition in 2021. All entries must be mailed to Schick-Ogle Post 4278, P.O. Box 579, Camas, WA 98607 by Oct. 31.

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