| VFW
education contest entrants sought
Fall is just around the corner, football and volleyball are underway, and kids are back in school. That means it is time for students and teachers to finalize their entry into the VFW Awards Program. The entry deadline for all awards is November 1, 2013. Awards must be received by the deadline, so if you plan to mail your entries, allow for delivery time. Voice of Democracy speech on CD – High school and Home Schooled students are eligible - The theme for 2013-2014 is: “Why I'm Optimistic About our Nation’s Future” Patriot’s Pen written essay – 6th through 8th grade and Home Schooled students are eligible - The theme for 2013-2014 is: “What Patriotism Means to Me” Teacher of the Year – All state credentialed (teaching certificate) teachers are eligible Students attending Prairie, Highland, or Summit Academy should contact their school to see if the school is sponsoring an awards program. If the school is not sponsoring a program, individual students may submit their entries in the Home Schooled Category for judging. For further details and official rules access the VFW National website at VFW.org. Click the Community tab, then Programs. There you will find entry forms and I strongly suggest the students watch the Voice of Democracy winner video from last year, or read last year’s winning Patriot's Pen essay, as applicable. The themes are different this year, but it gives the students an idea of the style that appeals to the judges. Post 4902, based in Cottonwood, covers the communities of Cottonwood, Craigmont, Ferdinand, Greencreek, Keuterville, Winchester, Morrow Town, Forrest, and surrounding areas, and students attending school at Prairie, Highland, or Summit Academy, regardless of where you live. For students living, or attending school, in other communities, contact your local VFW Post. Entries may be mailed to: VFW Post 4902 Attn: Awards Program PO Box 371 Cottonwood, ID 83522 Entries may also be hand delivered to Joe Riener, Post Commander, at Riener’s Grocery, on King St., or to Rick Johnson, Post Quartermaster, at Prairie Computer, on Main St., in Cottonwood. We cannot accept entries after the deadline, November 1, 2013. NO EXCEPTIONS. There are varying prizes awarded at the Post, District, State Department, and National levels. The VFW National level prize for first place in each category is as follows: Voice of Democracy – $30,000 scholarship and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in March. Patriot’s Pen - The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in March. Teacher of the Year - A $1,000 award to the top K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grade teachers for professional development expenses, $1,000 award for each winning teacher’s school, and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW conference and receive their award. Thank you for participating in this proud tradition, and feel free to send any questions to me. Joseph D. Riener, USAF (Retired) VFW Post 4902, Commander PO Box 371 Cottonwood, ID 83522-0371 (208) 962-7062 so4902@hughes.net |
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