December 30, 2023

Jack Ray VFW Auxiliary 5789, Lee’s Summit, is seeking entries for their four annual student contests. Area students in grades Kindergarten through 12 have the opportunity to compete in local, state and national prizes.

The Illustrating America contest consists of three grade divisions: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Students must submit a two-dimensional piece of artwork on canvas or paper. Entries will be judged on patriotic theme and technique. Awards vary up to $100.

The Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue singing contest is open to youth ages six to 16. Contestants must submit a video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star Spangled Banner.” The contest is designed to promote patriotism and encourage youth to learn the words to “The Star Spangled Banner” while displaying their creativity and vocal talent. Youth could win up to $1,000.

The VFW Auxiliary has two patriotic art contests for local students in grades 9-12. Entries for the Young American Creative Patriotic Art scholarship contest compete for a $15,000 scholarship by entering an original two-dimensional piece of artwork. Entries in the 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art contest compete for a $2,500 national scholarship. Entries for both contests must have been completed during the 2023-2024 school year and the application must include a teacher or supervising adult’s signature. All state winning entries will be displayed and judged at the VFW Auxiliary National Convention that will take place July 27 – August 1, 2024, in Louisville, KY.

Student entries for all of the above contests must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary 5789 by March 31, 2024. Interested students, parents and teachers should contact 816-524-8498 or at [email protected] for more information.

To read eligibility requirements, contest rules and download contest applications visit https://vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/youth-activities (K-8) or https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships (9-12).