This year’s Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy writing contests are open for submissions, and both have a deadline of Thursday, Oct. 31.
The Patriot’s Pen contest is open to students who are in sixth to eighth grade. Students are asked to write a 300- to 400-word essay with the theme “My voice in America’s democracy.” The national prize is $5,000.
Voice of Democracy is open to students in ninth through 12th grades, and students are required to submit a three- to five-minute audio and a written essay on the theme “Is America today our forefather’s vision?”
The national prize for the Voice of Democracy is $35,000.
To be eligible, students must be enrolled in the above listed grade levels by the deadline of Oct. 31. Students must also be lawful, permanent U.S. residents or have applied for permanent residency with the goal of becoming a U.S. citizen.
Students with denied residency applications will be considered ineligible.
Last year, Montezuma County students won the local contests and advanced to the district competitions. The winner of the Voice of Democracy in Post 5231 was then-sophomore Kacey Schmittel from Dolores High School. Julianne Vega of Dolores High School placed second, and Elizabeth Sparks of Lighthouse Christian Academy placed third.
Lighthouse Christian Academy’s then-sixth grader Summer Lovett was the winner of the Patriot’s Pen contest for Post 5231.
In Patriot’s Pen, essays are judged by the student’s knowledge of the theme, the theme’s development and the clarity of ideas presented. The Voice of Democracy is judged on originality, content and delivery, John Davis, Montezuma County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5231 adjutant and quartermaster, told The Journal last year.
