VFW & Auxiliary Announce Kick-Off of Annual Scholarships & Contests for Middle & High School Students – Franklin County Free Press
Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Post & Auxiliary are excited to announce the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual scholarships & contests for kindergarten through high school students who may compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prize earnings.
High School:
Voice of Democracy – This audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in a patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 9-12 grade students enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to their American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000 and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Applications must be turned in to Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 by midnight, Oct. 31, 2025. Before submitting your essay, read the rules and eligibility requirements on www.vfw.org.
Young American Patriotic Art Contest – Students submit an original two-dimensional piece of artwork. Entry must have completed during the current school year. Student entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 by March 31, 2026. Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary advances to the Department (state) competition. Department first-place winners compete for their share of $34,000 in national awards, and the national first-place winner is awarded a $15,000 scholarship. To download an entry form, visit www.vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.
3-Dimensional Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest – Students submit an original three-dimensional piece of artwork. Entry must have completed during the current school year. Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. Student entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 by March 31, 2026. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary advances to the Department (state) competition. Department first-place winners compete for their share of $4,000 in national awards, and the national first-place winner is awarded a $2,500 scholarship. To download an entry form, visit https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.
Grade School:
Patriot’s Pen – Students in grades 6-8 may enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 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 based on a patriotic theme. Entrants are due to Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 by midnight, Oct. 31, 2025. Before submitting your essay, read the rules and eligibility requirements on www.vfw.org.
Illustrating America – Students in grades K-8 can participate in this patriotic art contest that encourages students’ artistic abilities as they express how they see America through drawings and paintings. The contest consists of three grade divisions: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Winners in each division receive VISA gift cards ranging in value from $25-$100. Entrants are due to Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 by March 31, 2026. Find more information at www.vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/youth-activities.
About the VFW: About the VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. Learn more at www.vfw.org.
About the VFW Auxiliary: The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations. Our members are the relatives of those who served in a location of foreign conflict. We have nearly 470,000 members representing all 50 states, Panama, Guam and the Philippines who volunteer millions of hours and give millions of dollars to support veterans, military service personnel, their families and communities. Learn more at www.vfwauxiliary.org.
For more information or if you need entry forms please reach out to us at vfwpost1599@gmail.com.
You can mail or drop off entries to
VFW Post 1599
Attention Scholarship Committee
747 South 4th Street
Chambersburg Pa 17201
When a program collects wins in nearly 9 games out of every 10 played, you would expect plenty of good things are going to happen. And that’s certainly true in
Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Post & Auxiliary are excited to announce the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual scholarships & contests for kindergarten through high school students who may
Born November 11, 1940 in East Waterford, PA she was the daughter of the late Emory and Edith (Fortney) Clouser.
Mrs. Peiffer enjoyed spending time with family, decorating, baking, gardening and watching old movies on TV.
Chris had a deep love for the outdoors and could often be found working outside, tackling projects, or enjoying the beauty of nature.
Johnnie was employed for many years at Alpha Space Control, where he worked with diligence and pride until retirement.
In the mid-1970’s Jim was hired as a Laboratory Technician at the Penn State Fruit Research Lab in Biglerville, PA.
Barbie loved animals, especially her beloved dogs and pet birds. She loved flowers and enjoyed growing a variety of them in her yard every year.
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