VFW Post 5702 Sponsors Three Education Programs
VFW Post 5702 Commander Steve Vreeland recently announced Post 5702’s continued support of three educational programs designed to benefit students and teachers in Oakland and Franklin Lakes. According to Commander Vreeland, “As part of our efforts to support education and develop democratic values, we are proud to continue to sponsor the Voice of Democracy essay competition in both Indian Hills and Ramapo High Schools. We are also continuing to make the Patriot’s Pen essay program available to middle school students in Oakland and Franklin Lakes.” “Nothing pleases us more than to work with students and teachers,” stated Commander Vreeland, “and our post will also continue to sponsor the VFW’s National Citizenship Education Teachers’ Award. We are very proud of Mr. Larry Burke, a teacher at the Franklin Avenue Middle School in Franklin Lakes, who was the VFW District 2 winner of this contest last year.”
The Voice of Democracy, a program endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is an audio essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12. The annual contest, which is designed to foster patriotism, allows students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme. Cash awards are provided to the top three entries in each school, and the first place winners can advance through regional, state, and national competitions. This year’s theme is: “Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military?”
Patriot’s Pen is a nationwide essay competition open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students that gives entrants the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on a patriotic theme, and annually more than 112,000 students participate in the contest. Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay to VFW Post 5702 by November 1, 2011. A cash award is provided to the writer of the winning essay, and the winner can advance through regional, state, and national competitions. This year’s theme is: “Are You Proud of Your Country?”
The National Citizenship Education Teachers’ Award recognizes the nation’s top elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America’s history and traditions. Guidelines and entry information can be found on the Post 5702 website. Teachers, supervisors or other interested individuals should submit nominations to Post 5702 by November 1, 2011. A cash award is given to the winner of the Post 5702 competition and that winner is eligible to participate in District, State, and National VFW competitions.
The student competitions are open to pupils from Indian Hills and Ramapo High Schools (Voice of Democracy), Valley Middle and Franklin Avenue Middle Schools (Patriots Pen), as well as students residing in Oakland and Franklin Lakes who attend parochial schools or are home schooled. The Teacher Award competition is open to teachers who work in Oakland or Franklin Lakes.
For more information about these programs to include entry blanks and filing deadlines, visit Post 5702’s award-winning website at: http://www.vfwpost5702.org. Click on the ABOUT US button, and select the VFW for Students option. If additional information is needed, contact Doug Neralich at Post5702adj@gmail.com.