This essay contest is open to students enrolled in public, private or parochial high school or home study program.  The contest rules are strict, and the judges are veterans from the Portland Metro Area.  

From the VFW.org/PatriotsPen, “Each year more than 111,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $900,000 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 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.”

The winning essays this year, 2019, each echoed a common theme: celebrating the way Americans contribute to their communities so that we can live in a great country.

This year, three eighth graders submitted essays to VFW Post 1325.  Two of the students from Portland Christian won regional prizes.

Kateryna Boyko won 2nd place in our region, and Olivia Setser won 3rd place in our region! Each student received a cash prize and a certificate of recognition from the VFW District 3 on December 17, 2019 at the Eagles Hall in Portland

Congratulations, ladies!

By Kristen Caldwell & Grace Dugger