VFW Youth Programs
Programs & Scholarships
VFW Post 9644 is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $35,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.
We offer the following programs for local youth:
Voice of Democracy 2026-2027
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy® audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.
Each year, nearly 28,000 students in grades 9th through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more ant $1.6 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. We seek local students who meet the criteria and aspire to claim prizes at the Post, District, State, and National levels!
The 2026-2027 theme is:
"What a Veteran Taught Me About America"
At VFW Post 9644 & Auxiliary we offer the following rewards at the Post level:
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First Place - $450
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Second Place - $150
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Third Place - $100
Click here to be taken to Scholars App to apply for this scholarship.
Patriot's Pen 2026-2027
Each year, more than 800,600 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen® annual youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1 million in local and national awards. Each first-place VFW Department (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.
The 2026-2027 theme is:
"What a Veteran Taught Me About America"
At VFW Post 9644 & Auxiliary we offer the following rewards at the Post level:
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First Place - $450
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Second Place - $150
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Third Place - $100
Click here to be taken to Scholars App to apply for this scholarship.
Scout of the Year 2026-2027
Every year, your VFW Post nominates one outstanding Scout to represent at the department/state level, competing for national recognition as the VFW Scout of the Year.
Did you know that VFW Post 2100 in Everett, WA played a pivotal role in establishing the very first scout troop, Troop 1? With a rich history and strong ties between the VFW and the scouts, we take great pride in introducing our 2026-2027 Scout of the Year Program. This initiative celebrates members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who demonstrate exceptional citizenship, patriotism, and devotion to their country. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2027.
Download the entry form here, then bring it to our post for submission.
3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest 2026-2027
VFW Auxiliary National is pleased to present this National Scholarship to assist students who wish to further their education. This scholarship contest recognizes young artists and encourages patriotism in youth. Entries will be judged on originality of concept, presentation and patriotism expressed, content of how it relates to patriotism and clarity of ideas, design technique, total impact of work.
VFW Auxiliary National Scholarships
First Place - $2,500
Second Place - $1,500
Third Place and Fourth Place - $1,000
Fifth Place - $500
CONTEST ELIGIBILITY
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Student does NOT have to be related to a VFW or VFW Auxiliary member to enter.
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Students in grades 9-12 by March 31, 2027 deadline who are enrolled in public, private, parochial, or home school program in the United States, its territories and possessions, or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
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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 intends to become a U.S. citizen.
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Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or older, GED and adult education students are NOT eligible.
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Previous winners of the VFW Auxiliary National 3-Dimensional Patriot Art Contests on the national level are NOT eligible.
CONTEST RULES
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Entry MUST be original and created by the student.
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Entry MUST be completed during the current school year.
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Entry MUST be three-dimensional art with all the dimensions of height, width and depth.
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Entry may NOT be larger than 18" in any direction.
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Entry may NOT weigh more than 5 pounds.
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Raw materials ONLY. Stone, clay, metal, wood, fabric, papier mache, pottery, mixed and other media may be used.
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Digital art, photography, weapons, are generated by a 3-D printer and jewelry are NOT accepted.
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If the American Flag is used, it MUST conform to the Federal Flag Code in relation to colors, numbers of stars and stripes and other pertinent rules of the code.
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Completed typed or printed legible entry form including student and parent and/or guardian signatures.
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Typed or printed legible explanation of the steps taken to create the 3-Dimensional art entry and artist statement (250 words or less).
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Submit at least three (3) images of the finished piece, capturing various angles.
Download the entry form here, then bring it to our post for submission.
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest 2026-2027
VFW Auxiliary National is pleased to present this National Scholarship to assist students who wish to further their education. This scholarship contest recognizes young artists and encourages patriotism in youth. Entries will be judged on the originality of concept, presentation and patriotism expressed, content of how it relates to patriotism and clarity of ideas, design technique and total impact of work.
VFW Auxiliary National Scholarship
First Place - $15,000
Second Place - $7,500
Third Place - $4,500
Fourth Place - $4,000
Fifth Place and Sixth Place - $1,500
Seventh Place through Tenth Place - $1,000
Eleventh Place - $750
Twelfth Place through Twenty-Third Place - $500
CONTEST ELIGIBILITY
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Students do NOT have to be related to a VFW or VFW Auxiliary member to participate.
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Students in grades 9-12 by March 31, 2027 deadline who are enrolled in public, private, parochial, or home school program in the United States, its territories and possessions, or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
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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 intends to become a U.S. citizen.
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Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or older, GED and adult education students are NOT eligible.
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Previous winners of VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriot Art Contests on the national level are NOT eligible.
CONTEST RULES
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Entry MUST be original and created by the student, copying and tracing existing works is prohibited.
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Entry MUST be completed during the current school year.
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Entry MUST be two-dimensional art that has length, width and is flat.
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Entry MUST be on canvas or paper.
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Canvas entries must be submitted on a stretcher frame or canvas board.
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Paper entries must be reinforced with heavy paper, cardboard or foamboard.
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Do NOT frame art with wood, metal, plastic or glass.
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Mats may be used, including mounted and floating mats.
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Entries may NOT be smaller than 8"x10" and NOT larger than 18"x24" INCLUDING mat.
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Acrylic, watercolor, oil, chalk, charcoal, ink, marker, pencil, mixed or other media may be used.
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If the American Flag is used, it MUST conform to the Federal Flag Code in relations to colors, numbers of stars and stripes and other pertinent rules of the code.
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Digital art, AI and photography is NOT accepted.
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Completed typed or printed legible entry form including student and parent and/or guardian signatures.
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Typed or printed legible artist statement explaining the work and thematic relevance (250 words or less).
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Include one photo of completed work of art.
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Student name on back of art entry.
Download the entry form here, then bring it to our post for submission.
Illustrating America
VFW Auxiliary National is pleased to present this national art contest designed to introduce, encourage and recognize young artists with patriotism through artistic expression. Entries will be judged on effort and the process of creation through elements like line, shape and color with focus on patriotic themes and techniques.
VFW Auxiliary National Level Awards
NEW DEADLINE DATE
DECEMBER 15, 2026
CONTEST ELIGIBILITY
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Students do NOT have to be related to a VFW or VFW Auxiliary member to participate.
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Students in grades K-8 by December 15, 2026 deadline who are enrolled in public, private, parochial, or home school program in the United States, its territories and possessions, or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
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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 intends to become a U.S. citizen.
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Foreign exchange students NOT eligible.
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Previous winners of VFW Auxiliary National Illustrating America Art Contest on the national level are NOT eligible for the same grade division of which they are a previous national winner. However, the students may enter the subsequent grade division.
CONTEST RULES
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Enty MUST be original and created by the student, copying and tracing existing works is prohibited.
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Entry MUST be completed during the current school year.
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Entry MUST be two-dimensional art that has length, width and is flat.
-
Entry MUST be on canvas or paper.
-
Canvas entries must be submitted on a stretcher frame or canvas board.
-
Paper entries must be reinforced with heavy paper, cardboard or foamboard.
-
Do NOT frame art with wood, metal, plastic or glass.
-
Mats may be used, including mounted and floating mats.
-
Entries may NOT be smaller than 8"x10" and NOT larger than 18"x24" INCLUDING mat.
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Crayons, paint, glitter, marker, pastel, pencil, watercolor, mixed or other media may be used.
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Coloring sheets, digital art, AI and photography are NOT accepted.
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If the American Flag is displayed in a matter that clearly identifies it as such, it DOES NOT need to adhere to the Federal Flag Code specifications regarding its colors and number of stars and stripes.
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Students' name, age and grade level MUST be printed on back of the art entry.
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Completed typed or printed legible entry form including parent and/or guardian signatures.
Download the entry form here, then bring it to our post for submission.
Grades K-2
First Place - $100 Gift Card
Second Place - $50 Gift Card
Third Place - $25 Gift Card
Grades 3-5
First Place - $100 Gift Card
Second Place - $50 Gift Card
Third Place - $25 Gift Card
Grades 6-8
First Place - $100 Gift Card
Second Place - $50 Gift Card
Third Place - $25 Gift Card
VFW Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship 2026-2027
The VFW Auxiliary is please to present this National Scholarship to assist VFW Auxiliary members and their immediate family who wish to further their education by pursuing a college degree or a career direction at a vocational/technical school. Each year, one (1) recipient will be selected from each of the four (4) VFW Auxiliary Conferences and be awarded $2,250 scholarship to be used within the academic year following completion of the contest. The scholarship will be paid directly to the American college/university or vocational/technical school of the awardee's choice upon the completion of the scholarship activation requirements.
RULES & ELIGIBILITY
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VFW Auxiliary member for at least one full year by the application submission deadline of February 15, 2027
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The spouse and the adult children of a VFW Auxiliary member that has been a member for at least one full year by the application submission deadline of February 15, 2027
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Applicant must be 21 years of age or older by the application submission deadline of February 15, 2027
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Previous National Continuing Education Scholarship winner are NOT eligible.
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Essay must be in the applicants' own words, using any generative AI content is prohibited
Download the entry form, then bring it to our post for submission.