Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2166 recently honored nine students from T.A. Dugger Junior High School during the annual Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest awards ceremony. The students, representing sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, received certificates of participation along with $175 in local awards.

This year’s theme, “My Voice in America’s Democracy?” challenged students to reflect on their role in the nation’s democratic system. Participants drafted 300- to 400-word essays exploring the theme, with winners advancing to district, state, and potentially national levels of competition.

In November, one student for every 15 entries submitted through the post will move on to the district competition. Nationwide, nearly 68,800 middle school students participate each year, competing for their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. First-place state winners receive a minimum of $500, and the national first-place winner is awarded $5,000.

The Patriot’s Pen contest encourages young writers to examine America’s history while reflecting on their own experiences in modern society. Open to students in grades six through eight across public, private, and parochial schools, as well as home-schooled students in the U.S. and its territories, the contest distributes $1.2 million in awards annually.

Next year’s theme for the 2025-26 contest will be announced in March 2025. Those interested in participating are encouraged to contact their local VFW Post representative for more information.