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Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
The purpose of St Charles VFW Post 5036 Youth Scholarships are to work in collaboration with St Charles youth organizations to promote patriotism and support the education of local youth. Our primary objective is to instill a strong sense of national pride in the younger generation by providing scholarships and other opportunities for learning and growth. We believe that by fostering a deep understanding of the sacrifices made by our veterans and the importance of serving our country, we can inspire the next generation of leaders to uphold the values of freedom, democracy, and equality. Our partnership with local youth organizations allows us to reach a wider audience and have a greater impact on the community, creating a legacy of patriotism and civic responsibility that will endure for generations to come.
The Outstanding Winners of the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest at Thompson Middle School
Patriot's Pen
Patriot's Pen
Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades 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, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.
Grant Jacobsen, Social Studies Teacher and Instructional Support Coach, and Richard Zawislak, VFW Post 5036 Voice of Democracy Chairman, presented awards to the top four finishers in this year’s Voice of Democracy contest.
Voice of Democracy
Voice of Democracy
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.3 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of 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.
Some of our earliest ties to the community involve youth groups and perhaps none are stronger or more lasting than the relationship between the VFW and America's scouting organizations. In fact, our partnership with the Boy Scouts of America dates back to 1915 when VFW Post 2100 helped to establish Troop 1 in Everett, Washington.
Our Scout of the Year program provides members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to be recognized for their standout citizenship, patriotism and love of country.
National Scholarship Awards:
$5,000 - 1st Place scholarship
$3,000 - 2nd Place scholarship
$1,000 - 3rd Place scholarship
State of Illinois, VFW
$300 Cash Award - Eagle Scout of the year, State of Illinois, VFW
$300 Cash Award -Girl Scout Gold Award Nominee, State of Illinois, VFW
St Charles VFW Scouting Scholarship Program
St Charles VFW Scouting Scholarship Program
The St Charles VFW Scouting Scholarship Program is a strategic initiative aimed at providing financial support to scouting units and individual scouts within the St Charles community. This program aligns perfectly with the VFW's mission to assist and empower youth while strengthening the bonds between Veterans and the community. By offering financial assistance to scouting programs and scouts in need, the VFW aims to ensure that scouting remains accessible to all youth, despite the challenges posed by increasing costs and unforeseen circumstances.
Post Scholarship
Post Scholarship
The Post scholarship program from the St. Charles VFW Post 5036 is designed to provide financial assistance to children and grandchildren of post members, as well as youth who reside in St. Charles. This program aims to support students who are pursuing higher education and wish to achieve their academic goals.
The scholarship program provides an opportunity for students to receive financial aid to help cover the costs of tuition, books, and other related expenses. The scholarship amount varies based on the number of applicants and the available funds, but typically ranges from $500 to $1,000.
To be eligible for the Post scholarship program, applicants must meet certain criteria, such as being a high school senior or college student, having a minimum GPA of 2.5, and being involved in extracurricular activities or community service. Additionally, applicants must submit a written essay on a specific topic as part of the application process.
The Youth committee at the St. Charles VFW Post 5036 reviews all applications and selects the recipients based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community service, and essay submissions.
Overall, the Post scholarship program from the St. Charles VFW Post 5036 provides a valuable opportunity for students to receive financial assistance and support as they pursue their educational goals.
SMART/MAHER VFW NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION TEACHER AWARD PROGRAM
SMART/MAHER VFW NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION TEACHER AWARD PROGRAM
The Veterans of Foreign Wars wants to recognize the nation’s top elementary, junior high and high school teachers (teaching at least half of the school day in a classroom environment) who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America’s history, traditions, and institutions effectively through this program.
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