Hillsborough Memorial VFW Offers 2 Scholarship Opportunities

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough Memorial VFW Post # 8371 is sponsoring two scholarship competitions for Middle and High School students from 6th through 12th grade residing in Hillsborough, Montgomery and Branchburg townships.

The VFW Voice of Democracy competition offers high school student a chance to win a $30,000 college scholarship or the Patriots Pen national essay competition offers a middle school student a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship.

"The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation," said Hillsborough VFW Commander Tom Cellilli.

Voice of Democracy audio-essay program

The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the
opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded
essay. Each year, nearly 40,000 grade 9-12 students from across the country enter to win their
share of $2.1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

The contest starts at the local Post level and the winners proceed to further competition at the
District, State and National level. Cash awards are made to the top finishers at each level. The
national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship. The first-place winner from each State wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 plus an all expense trip to Washington, DC.

The top three winners at Hillsborough's local post level win $300, $200 and $100 based on their order of finish. Judging of each entry is made by a panel of six judges selected from post
members and the general public.

This year’s theme is What Makes America Great. Entry forms are available through the Hillsborough High School Guidance department or call or text Cellilli requesting an entry form at 908-255-3669 or by email at cellillijr@aol.com.

Patriots Pen competition

The Patriots Pen competition is for students in grades 6-8. The essay contest encourages young
minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American
society, by writing a 300 to 400 word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme
chosen by the VFW National Commander-in-Chief.

Each year more than 130,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the Patriots Pen essay contest. The
national first-place winner is awarded $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC and each State award winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level. This year’s theme is What Makes America Great.

The first through third place local Post cash awards are the same as noted for the Voice of Democracy awards with the same judging panel being used to determine the winners.

Entry forms are available through the Hillsborough Middle School administrative office or by contacting Cellilli at 908-255-3669 or by email at cellillijr@aol.com.

Both contests are open to students who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial school or a home study program in the United States. Both contest entry deadlines are Oct. 31.

All entries must be postmarked by the due date and mailed to Hillsborough Memorial VFW Post # 8371, 601 Route 206, Suite 26-228 in Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Complete contest rules are documented on each contest entry application form.

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