2025-2026 Patriot's Pen Scholarship
Each year, more than 60,600 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen® annual youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000!
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. Students interested in participating must submit their essay prepared on this year's theme, with a completed 2025-2026 entry form, to their local participating VFW Post. VFW Post 6740 would be honored to sponsor you! Applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.
The 2025-26 theme is:
"How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”
The 2024-2025 winner was a fellow "South Carolinian" ...Evelyn Newbigging, an eighth grade student from Lancaster, South Carolina, was named the 2024-2025 Patriot's Pen first place winner. Her essay on the theme, "My Voice in America's Democracy?" won the national first place $5,000 award. Newbigging was sponsored by VFW Post 12136 located in Indian Land, South Carolina. Lake Murray VFW Post 6740 wants you to win this year! Make South Carolina a back-to-back winning state!!
