Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen scholarship contests now open

The Muldrow Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary Post 8384 is offering two scholarship contests and awards for local students.

The Voice of Democracy is open to students from grades 9-12 and is a speech recorded on a CD or audio flash drive 3 to 5 minutes in length. This year’s theme is “What Are The Greatest Attributes Of Our Democracy?”

“If they win first at the state level they advance to National Competition with a chance to win up to $30,000,” Jackie Plank, Muldrow VFW Auxiliary 8384 Jr. Vice President said.

The second scholarship, Patriot’s Pen, is open to students in grades 6-8 and consists of writing a 300 word essay. This year’s theme is “How Are You Inspired By America?”

“There are cash awards for first through third place at the local, district and state levels,” Plank said. “If they win first at the state level, they advance to the national competition and a chance to win up to $5,000.”

Plank said both contests are open to students that attend a public or private school, are home schooled, or accredited satellite school in Oklahoma.

All speeches and essays for both contests must be turned in by Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, at the school office, Muldrow Library or VFW Post.

For an entry form with the rules for each scholarship, you can contact your school’s English or history teacher, Muldrow Public Library, VFW Post 8384 Quartermaster Harold Lasiter at 479-926-0673 or Plank at 479-883-5661.

“You can also check out the VFW.com website under scholarships, and listen to last year’s winning speech, and get an application and rules,” she said. “If you do this, please see that your essay is at the VFW Post 8384, the school you are physically attending, or the Muldrow Library before closing time.”

The address for VFW Post 8384 is 112324 Wilson Rock Road, Muldrow. Plank said they would need to be at the VFW Post by 5 p.m. on Oct. 31.