Students sweep writing contest for fourth year

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has launched its 79th annual Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy youth scholarship competitions for the 2025-26 school year.

Established in 1947, the essay competition was created to “encourage a better understanding and appreciation for America and to foster patriotism among the nation’s youth,” according to the VFW website. 

The program also rewards successful applicants in the form of individual scholarships and awards at the local, state and national levels. 

This year’s theme asks students, “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?”

The Patriot’s Pen award is open to students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade while high school students compete in the Voice of Democracy (VOD) contest. Essays must adhere to strict guidelines, word count and content restrictions.

At the local level, hosted by the VFW Kenneth Kuper Auxiliary No. 3442 in Custer, first through third place winners are selected, awarded scholarship money and their entries are advanced to the district competition. The top three essays at the district level advance to state where only one entry from each state is selected to advance to the national competition. 

First through third place winners are chosen at the local level, awarded scholarship money and are advanced to the district level. Three more are selected at the district level and advanced to the state level where one from each state advances to the national contest.

More than $1.4 million in education and scholarship incentives are awarded annually through the Voice of Democracy program, with the national first place winner receiving a $35,000 scholarship. 

For the fourth consecutive year, Hill City Middle School and High School students have swept both contests locally. Along with Hill City, schools from Custer, Hot Springs and Edgemont are invited to participate. 

This year’s awards were presented by Corey Virtue of the Custer VFW. Patriot Pen award winners were Raleigh West in first place, Madelynn Tallon in second place and Mariska Pokorney in third place.

In the Voice of Democracy contest, Joy Anderson earned first place for the second year in a row, followed by Daril Frandsen in second place and Camila Becerra in third.