Feature Story & Photos by Larry H. Oskin
VFW Post 5277 believes in good citizenship to help foster patriotism. That is why they annually participate in a national program to encourage young students to examine our nation’s history along with their own experiences in modern American society through the annual Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy youth essay writing competitions. This year’s awards presentation was hosted by the VFW Post, led by Commander-In-Chief Ronald Chappo, Quartermaster Robert Farrell, President of the VFW Auxiliary Aloha Prince-Rosario, and Past President Jeannie Ashline.
Over 100,000, 6th to 12th-grade students annually enter the national VFW Scholarship Awards to win unrestricted scholarships for college as well as for a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC for the national first-place winner. Students are encouraged to draft an essay that expresses their personal views based upon a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-In-Chief. The national program again had over 100,000 entries this past year.
Patriot’s Pen Award Winners: Students from 6th to 8th-grade levels were solicited from 18 area middle and high schools to enter this contest. The PPA essay theme this year was “What is patriotism to me?”
1st Place Andrew Rams Champion Preparatory Academy
2nd Place Zoha Waheed Bajwa Montverde Academy
3rd Place Nathan N. Kou Windy Hill Middle School
Voice of Democracy 9th – 12th grade Winners: Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the VFW’s premier scholarship program for 9th to 12thgrade students. The VOD essay theme this year was “Is this the country the founders envisioned?” This VFW sponsored essay competition gives students the opportunity to express their views on an annually updated patriotic theme.
1st Place Emily Lininger Quiet Rock Academy
2nd Place Alyssa R. Rogers Real Life Christian Academy
3rd Place Briyah Drayton Montverde Academy
Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher:
1st Place – James R Ohara Windy Hill Middle School Clermont Florida.
(Mr. Ohara also finished in 2nd Place for the District)
This award will be presented at another date in his school classroom.
Four Award Levels: All Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Awards start at the local VFW Post level. These Post winners will advance to the District Level where one first place winner will advance to the State Level. That one first place District award winner will advance to the national competition. Winners from each state will compete for the big national scholarship awards and prizes. The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s chosen American University, college or vocational school.
2021 VFW Patriot’s Pen Competition: Visit the Florida VFW state website at: http://www.myfloridavfw.org and the national website at:www.VFW.org for more information. The next scholarship entries will start in June 2021 and will be due no later than October 31, 2021.
William Alfred Suggs Memorial VFW Post 5277: Quartermaster Robert J. Farrell notes, “Our annual youth scholarship awards program challenges our local area students to reflect on our nation’s history, their ideals and principles and their own experiences based on a patriotic theme. By working alongside America’s youth and instilling a sense of patriotism here in the South Lake area of Florida has always been and will always be a VFW priority. For more information about VFW membership, events, fundraisers and scholarships, contact Robert Farrell at 352-250-2052, 352-394-5424 or by email at: RFarr47938@aol.com. Visit the local VFW Post at the lower level of 855 West Desoto Street, Clermont, FL 34711. Visit: https://vfw5277.org.
See: https://vfw5277.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=3760 for a full list of Clermont VFW Post 5277 events and activities.
