San luis valley — The Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts and Auxiliaries of District 7 would like to encourage High School and Middle School students in the San Luis Valley to participate in our Scholarship programs. The “Voice of Democracy” essay, “Patriot’s Pens” essay and “Patriotic Art.”
 These Scholarship programs are open to students enrolled in a public, private, or parochial schools or Home studied Students. Most Schools in the San Luis Valley should have Posters and entry forms. These entry forms have all the information needed to enter The Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essays or The Patriotic Art. If any student who would like to do an essay and needs more information and an entry form, you can contact a VFW Auxiliary member. Chairman and Cell numbers are at the bottom of this letter.
The “Voice of Democracy” is a written essay with a 3-5 minute audio copied to a CD or a flash drive. (Students, please read your entry form for detailed rules) This year the theme is “What Makes America Great.”  This essay is open to 9th-12th High School students. Winners receive money from their local Auxiliary. First place from each auxiliary advances to District 7. First place winner in district receives $100 and will advance to State competition. First place at the State level will advance to National where the   first place winner receives a $30,000 Scholarship.
The “PATRIOT’S PEN Essay is a 300-400 typewritten word essay. This year the theme is “What Makes America Great.”  This essay is open to 6th-8th grade students. The winners will also advance from the Auxiliary level to  District 7 level and first place winner will advance to The State competition. The winners will receive money from each level that they place.
The “Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest” is open to any Student in grades 9th-12th. This is for all talented student Artists!! The National first place winner receives a $10,000 scholarship. Please get an entry form from for all the rules and regulations and to submit your entry.
Scholarship Chairmans Are:
PEGGY MARTINEZ (719) 850-3066 --- AUX. 8121 DEL NORTE/SOUTH FORK
NADIA FLORES  (719) 580-4948----   AUX. 899 ALAMOSA
VERONICA KNECHT (719) 298-1914---AUX. 4849 ANTONITO