September 7, 2022
Teach Your Children to be Good Writers…and Patriots! It’s Essay Season with the Veterans Service Organizations
By: John Crowder
Parents, help your children to learn how to express themselves well when writing or speaking, and to become patriotic Americans who love our country.
Veterans Service Organization (VSO) sponsored contests and competitions from other groups provide a fantastic opportunity for students to develop important skills and a patriotic attitude…while winning thousands of dollars for their efforts.
With the start of school, we are now in Essay Season. Four VSO’s have contests that are worth your while. These are, in order of when the contests close, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), American Legion, and AMVETS. Two other competitions to consider are Farm Bureau’s Essay Contest and Stossel in the Classroom.
Here’s a little about each one.
Stossel in the Classroom: Stossel in the Classroom sponsors an essay contest and a video contest for middle school and high school students. This year there are three topics to choose from. They are, “The American Constitution in Our Lives,” “Inflation: Root Causes and Community Impact,” and “Economics in the Wild.” Entry submissions take place from September 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. Prizes range from $50 to $2500. Learn more, here: Essay Contest – Stossel in the Classroom
Farm Bureau Insurance: Farm Bureau Insurance sponsors a Veterans Day Essay Contest. This year’s topic is, “What My Family Members Military Service Means to Me.” They say, “Idaho students with family members who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces are invited to participate. This is a great opportunity for young people to put in their own words the impact that their family member’s military service has made in their lives.” The contest is open to children grades 1-12 with a family member who has served or is serving in the Armed Forces. Essays must answer the contest topic in 750 words or less. The due date is October 22. Prizes range from $250 to $750. Learn more, here: Veterans Day Essay Contest 2022 – Idaho Farm Bureau Insurance – Save on Auto, Home, Life Insurance – Idaho Farm Bureau Insurance
VFW: The VFW sponsors two contests, both have deadlines of October 31.
Patriot’s Pen, for students in grades 6-8, asks students to write a 300–400-word essay on a designated theme. This year’s theme is, “My Pledge to Our Veterans.” Prizes are given at the local level and beyond, with the national winner receiving $5000. Contact your local VFW post for details. Learn more here: Youth Scholarships – VFW
In Pocatello/Chubbuck contact VFW Post 735 through their Facebook page, here: VFW post 735 | Facebook
Voice of Democracy, for students in grades 9-12, asks students to submit a 3–5-minute audio recorded speech, along with a written copy, on a designated theme. This year’s theme is, “Why is the Veteran Important?” Prizes are given at the local level and beyond, with the national winner receiving a $35,000 scholarship. Contact your local VFW post for details. Learn more here: Youth Scholarships – VFW
In Pocatello/Chubbuck contact VFW Post 735 through their Facebook page, here: VFW post 735 | Facebook
FRA: The FRA sponsors an annual Americanism Essay Contest for students in grades 7-12. Students compete in each grade level, so there are lots of chances to win. Submit an essay of 350 words or less on this year’s topic, “What the United States Flag Stands For.” Essays are due on or before December 1st. The grand prize is $1500. Contact Roger Christopher at 208-794-6637 for more information. Learn more, here: Essay Contest (fra.org)
AMVETS: AMVETS sponsors contests for children in grades K-12. For grades K-1 students color and answer questions about the American flag. For grades 2-5 students create a poster. For grades 6-12 students write an essay. All contests are on a selected theme, this year’s theme being, “What Does Freedom Look Like?” Cash prizes, certificates, plaques, and gift cards are awarded to winners at different levels, and entries are typically due at the local level in early April. In Eastern Idaho, contact John Crowder at jcrowder27@hotmail.com for more information. Learn more, here: Americanism – AMVETS National Headquarters
Again, parents, take advantage of these great opportunities to help put your children on the road to success!
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