Flag alerts from NC

The VFW and its Auxiliary offers several national competitions annually for students and teachers in the community. Here are just a few (Click on the name of the competition to see the descriptions, forms and rules for each):

• Voice of Democracy (VOD) - a speech writing competition, where 9th through 12th grade students write and deliver their speech on an audio CD or flash drive. Each year's theme is selected by the National Commander-in-Chief. Student deadline for submission to the local Post is October 31 each year.



• Patriot's Pen Essay Contest - where 6th, 7th and 8th grade students submit a 300 to 400 word written essay, on a patriotic theme selected by National. Student deadline for submission of an entry to the local Post is October 31 each year.



• The National Teacher of the Year Award is designed to recognize the nation's top teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America's history and traditions. All current elementary, junior high and high school teachers (teaching at least half of the school day in a classroom environment) in grades K-12 are eligible. The deadline for entering this competition is October 31 of each year. Starting this year, the teachers of elementary, junior high and high schools will be eompeting against each other, so only one winner will be selected by each Post to advance to the next level.



• Scout of the Year - Our partnership with scouting dates back to 1915 when VFW Post 2100 helped to establish Troop 1 in Everett, Washington. Since then, our Scout of the Year program provides Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts or Venturing Crew of America members who display standout citizenship, patriotism and love of country with the opportunity to be rewarded with college scholarships of up to $5,000. See for more information.



• Young American Createive Art competition - where high school students submit original art work with a patriotic theme. This program, started in 1979, invites high school students to submit original art work with a patriotic theme. Deadlines for entry is March 31. Read more, and see full rules and previous winners at our National Auxiliary site.



• Illustrating America - Open to all students in grades 1-8 at time of local entry and a US citizen or US National. It will be judged on patriotic theme and technique. The Department first-place winner in each grade division will be forwarded to Auxiliary National Headquarters. Please see the flyer with information, contest rules and application. Deadlines for entry is March 31.
  
  Contest Rules:
  • Art must be two-dimensional.
  • Art must be on canvas or paper.
  • Watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker or other media may be used.
  • Do not frame.
  • Submit canvas entries on a stretcher frame or canvas board. Other entries must be matted in white. Do not use color mats. Reinforce the back with heavy paper. Mounted and floating mats may also be used.
  • The art should be no smaller than 8” x 10” but no larger than 18” x 24”, not including mat.
  • Coloring sheets, digital art and photography are not accepted.
  
  
  
• Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue! - NEW! for 2020-21 This is an individual National Anthem singing contest for youth ages 6-16 by entry deadline. Open to youth ages six to 16 years at the time of local entry and a US citizen or US national. Entry will be judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value. Contestant must live or attend school in the state of the sponsoring VFW Auxiliary. The Department first-place winner will be forwarded to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters. Please see entry form at vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/youth-activities/ for eligibility requirements and contestDeadlines for entry is March 31.
  
  Contest Rules:
  • The "Star-Spangled Banner” must be recorded between July 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.
  • Contestant may sing a cappella, with backing tracks or instruments.
  • Contestant may sing in the arrangement and genre of their choice.
  • Contestant may NOT change the words.