Local student could win $5,000 in college money

[July 16, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- Matthew M. Mihelcic commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Illinois, has announced the kickoff of this year's Patriot's Pen essay competition, sponsored by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary. Middle school students in grades six to eight in this area have the opportunity to compete in the annual competition and win thousands of dollars.

Students begin by competing at the local post level, and post winners advance to district level. Eighteen district winners compete in the state competition. The state winners compete for $46,000 in awards at the national level, and the national champion wins $5,000. Each year, around 125,000 students participate nationwide.

Students are invited to write a 300-400-word essay on a patriotic theme. The theme for 2013-2014 is "What Patriotism Means to Me."

The deadline for student entries is Nov. 1. Interested students and teachers should contact the nearest VFW post or email [e-mail] for further information. Entry forms and contest rules may be downloaded from http://www.vfw.org/Community/Patriot-s-Pen/.

[Text from file received from Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Illinois]