AVA, Mo. — The G.L. Adrain Owen VFW Post 5993 and Auxiliary have announced the start of their annual scholarship and contest programs for area students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Students may compete in several writing and art competitions, with opportunities to advance from the local level to state and national competition and earn scholarships and other awards.
For high school students in grades 9 through 12, the VFW’s Voice of Democracy program is an audio essay competition. Students write and record an original essay based on the 2026-27 theme, “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”
The recording should be three to five minutes long and should focus on the student’s own thoughts, experiences and understanding of the patriotic theme.
Each year, students from across the country compete for scholarships through the program. The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship, while additional national scholarships are also awarded. The first place winner from each VFW Department, or state, receives a scholarship of at least $1,000.
Voice of Democracy entries must be submitted to VFW Post 5993 by midnight Oct. 31, 2026.
Students in grades 6 through 8 may participate in the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen essay contest.
For that competition, students write a 300 to 400 word essay based on the same theme, “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.” The essay gives students an opportunity to explain what the theme means to them and may draw from personal experiences, lessons learned from veterans or their understanding of American history and citizenship.
The national first place winner receives $5,000, and each first place state winner receives at least $500 at the national level.
Patriot’s Pen entries are also due to VFW Post 5993 by midnight Oct. 31.
High school students interested in art may participate in two competitions sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary.
The Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest calls for students to create an original two dimensional patriotic artwork during the current school year. Two dimensional entries may include paintings, drawings or other flat artwork.
Students begin at the local Auxiliary level, with first place winners advancing to the Department, or state, competition. State winners then advance to the national level, where contestants compete for a share of $44,750 in scholarships.
The Auxiliary also offers a 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest. Students create an original three dimensional patriotic work completed during the current school year. Entries may include sculptures or other artwork that has height, width and depth rather than being a flat image.
Local first place winners advance to state competition, and state winners advance to the national level to compete for a share of $6,500 in scholarships.
Entries for both patriotic art contests must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary 5993 by March 31, 2027.
Younger students may also take part through the VFW Auxiliary’s Illustrating America Art Contest, which is open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Students create an original two dimensional piece of artwork completed during the current school year. The contest is divided into three grade divisions: K-2, grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. First, second and third place prizes are awarded in each division, and each entry must include a parent or guardian signature.
The first place winner in each division at the local Auxiliary level advances to state competition, with state winners moving on to national judging.
Illustrating America entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary 5993 by Dec. 15, 2026.
Students and families are encouraged to review the complete eligibility requirements and contest rules before preparing an entry. Information about the VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen programs is available at vfw.org. Information and entry forms for the VFW Auxiliary art contests are available at vfwauxiliary.org.
For additional information about the local contests, contact Gail Huffman at vfwauxiliary5993@gmail.com or 417-543-8961.
