Conducted nationwide, this VFW sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme.  We invite you to join the more than 120,000 students who participated last year in this contest.  The national winners will receive at least $500.00.  The first-place national award is currently $5,000.00 plus an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the winner and a parent or guardian.

 

      The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has again approved this contest for its National Advisory List of Contests and Activities.

 

National awards total: $54,500

Prizes include the various amounts listed below:

1st: $5,000       7th: $1,750

2nd: $4,000      8-9th: $1,500

3rd: $3,500      10-11th: $1,250

4th: $2,750      12-14th: $1,000

5th: $2,500      15-16th: $750

6th: $2,000      17-54th: $500

The Internal Revenue Service requires that any recipient that receives mote than a $599 award should receive a Form 1099 identifying the proceeds as taxable.