VFW & auxiliary offer scholarship opportunities – Cape Coral Breeze
Local students from kindergarten through high school have an opportunity to enter competitions for national scholarships through the VFW.
Cape Coral VFW & Auxiliary Post 8463 have announced the kick-off for annual scholarships and contests for students who may compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prize earnings.
The contests promote patriotism, assist students in furthering their education and help students reach their full potential.
Cape Coral VFW Auxiliary 8463 Program Chair Wendy Pattison said there are various scholarships for students, ones that include audio and written essays, as well as works of art.
The VFW sponsors contests with a deadline of the end of October, while the VFW Auxiliary has art contest scholarships that deadline in March of 2026.
“The national VFW has offered these scholarships for a number of years, and I think our post wanted to get really involved in the community, so we wanted to get the information out there,” Pattison said. “A lot of people don’t realize the VFW offers scholarships.”
Submissions for scholarships are made to the Cape Coral VFW and Auxiliary 8463, and from there, a panel of independent judges select who they feel are the best fits to move on to the district level. From there, applicants continue to move on to the national level.
“We think it’s really important for the youth to remember patriotism, to remember that freedom isn’t free,” Pattison said. “We all should be extremely thankful for these men and women that join the military and keep us safe. We want kids to realize what’s all involved in keeping our country free.”
At the local level, winners for the Voice of Democracy audio essay and Patriot’s Pen essay at post level will be awarded first, second, and third place prizes, which are yet to be determined.
Pattison said as then entries have come in, it’s been great to hear and see what each student application looks like.
“I’m most excited to read and hear what these kids think,” Pattison said. “I’ve seen some and heard about winners from previous years…they have different backgrounds and cultures and appreciate our country. They are American citizens, however, you can tell they have a wider span of cultural background. Kids in our community interact with all different cultures and languages. We want to be all-encompassing to all Americans — all people that appreciate living here.
“We’d love to have a winner come from right here in Cape Coral.”
A break down of each scholarship, what it entails, and deadlines include:
High School:
n VFW 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 $35,000 scholarship paid directly to their American university, college or vocational/technical school.
Other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000 and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000.
Applications must be turned in to Pattison wendypattison66@gmail.com of VFW Post No. 8463 by midnight, Oct. 31, 2025. Before submitting your essay, read the rules and eligibility requirements on https://vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.
n VFW Auxiliary Young American Patriotic Art Contest – Students submit an original two-dimensional piece of artwork. Entry must have been completed during the current school year.
Student entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary No. 8463 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 $37,000 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. Entrants can e-mail Pattison at wendypattison66@gmail.com in March 2026 for dates/times to drop off their artwork at Cape Coral VFW Post 8463.
n VFW Auxiliary 3-Dimensional Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest – Students submit an original three-dimensional piece of artwork.
Entry must have been completed during the current school year.
Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. Student entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary No. 8463 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 $5,500 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.
Entrants can e-mail Pattison at wendypattison66@gmail.com in March 2026 for dates/times to drop off their artwork at Cape Coral VFW Post 8463.
Grade School:
n – 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 must be submitted to Pattison wendypattison66@gmail.com of VFW Post No. 8463 by midnight, Oct. 31, 2025.
Before submitting your essay, read the rules and eligibility requirements on https://vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.
n VFW Auxiliary 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 VFW Auxiliary No. 8463 by March 31, 2026.
Find more information at www.vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/youth-activities.
Entrants can e-mail Pattison at wendypattison66@gmail.com in March 2026 for dates/times to drop off their artwork at Cape Coral VFW Post 8463.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
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