text: Students: Deadline Approaching for VFW Essay/Speech Competitions | Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer
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  Students: Deadline Approaching for VFW Essay/Speech Competitions
  Shruthi Kumar, 2019 Voice of Democracy National Champion (Photo Credit: VFW)
  The VFW's annual competitions for students in grades 6-12 are underway, and the deadline to enter the two contests is fast approaching. The deadline for each is midnight, October 31, 2020. Entries must be submitted by the deadline to a local VFW post.
  Each year the VFW sponsors two student competitions, Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy.
  The Patriot's Pen contest is open to students in grades 6-8. Nationwide, over 150,000 students enter the contest, vying for the first place national prize of $5000. For the contest, students are asked to write a 300-400 word essay on a theme selected by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. This year's theme is, "What is Patriotism to Me?"
  The Voice of Democracy contest is open to students in grades 9-12. Approximately 65,000 students enter annually, vying for their share of $2.1 million in educational scholarships and incentives, and the grand prize of a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient's American university, college or vocational/technical school. For this competition, students are asked to record a 3-5 minute speech on a selected theme. This years theme is, "Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?"
  Students in the Pocatello/Chubbuck area who wish to enter the contest can call Grace Jacobson, Co-Chair of the contest program for local VFW Post 735, at (208) 339-4420 to make arrangements for her to receive your entry. You can also call Co-Chair Kurt Camerud at (208) 705-3478.
  To learn more about the competitions and to download a copy of the entry form and rules, visit: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships
  To learn more about the contest at local VFW Post 735 in Pocatello, visit: https://post735vfw.org/upcoming/