Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!
The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Before submitting your essay, download the 2025-2026 entry form here. Applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.
Applications can be submitted via email to Scholarships.VFW335@gmail.com or can be dropped off at:
VFW Post 335
479 South Ave E
Cranford, NJ 07016
About the 2024-2025 winner ...
Evelyn Newbigging, an eighth grade student from Lancaster, South Carolina, was named the 2024-2025 Patriot's Pen first place winner. Her essay on the theme, "My Voice in America's Democracy?" won the national first place $5,000 award. Newbigging was sponsored by VFW Post 12136 located in Indian Land, South Carolina.
Watch as Newbigging delivered her winning essayduring the 2025 VFW's Parade of Winners that was streamed live, or read her essay here. See the complete list of 2025 national winners.
