Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Franklin VFW announces Patriot's Pen - essay contest for grades 6 to 8


"This is our first year trying the Patriots Pen (grades 6-8). We've done the Voice of Democracy for several years. Our post winners are honored at our annual dinner in March, Rep. Roy is usually in attendance and sits with the winners and their family. They are presented with a small cash prize, a certificate signed by the Speaker of the Mass House, and a certificate from the Post. 
Post winners advance to the district competition (Franklin Post 3402 is a part of Norfolk District 5, which covers Norfolk county VFW Posts). District winners advance to the state level competition. And the state winner goes to nationals in D.C.

Patriot's Pen


Each year more than 132,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $54,500, with each first-place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level. The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

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 chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.


VFW's Patriot's Pen essay contest
VFW's Patriot's Pen essay contest


THE 2016-17 THEME IS: THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN

Students can ask a teacher or youth group leader to supervise their progress in the competition. Then students can contact a local participating VFW Post and establish a contact person who is a member of that Post or its Auxiliary.

Essays must be no less than 300 words and cannot exceed 400 words. They should be submitted to the Post, along with the completed Patriot's Pen entry form no later than the November 1 deadline.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

  • Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points. You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively.
  • Theme development is worth 35 points. Answer all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences.
  • Clarity of ideas is worth 35 points. Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.


Additional information can be found here http://www.vfw.org/PatriotsPen/


The entry form and brochure can be found here
http://www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/VFWorg/MY_VFW/PatriotsPenEntryFormandBrochure.pdf

No comments:

Post a Comment