Veterans of Foreign Wars John W. Tiffany Post 53 is accepting submissions for its Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Scholarship programs for 2023.

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in future generation. Democracy-loving high school students interested in a $35,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000 are welcome to participate.

The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the opportunity to express themselves regarding a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. The Voice of Democracy theme for this year is “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?”

Students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of $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. The 2023 theme for the written essay in the Patriots Pen is “How Are You Inspired by America?”

Information is available in the Southwestern, Jamestown, Falconer, Frewsburg School Districts along with Bethel Baptist Christian Academy. Students interested in participating should contact their school officials for additional information.

Home school students, others interested or with questions should contact VFW Post 53 Commander William Johnston at 716-499-3731 for further information.

All entries must be turned in by midnight, October 31.