Scholarship opportunities available
KYLE — Kyle VFW Post 12058 is inviting local youth to participate in two creative contests through the VFW Auxiliary for a chance to win national awards and scholarships.
Post 12058 announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s national anthem singing contest Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue, in which local youth in grades K-12 can showcase their talent, display their patriotism and express their creativity while competing for their share of $2,000 in national awards.
To compete, contestants must submit a video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The video must be uploaded to YouTube and submitted to Post 12058 along with a completed entry form for judging. The video must be recorded between July 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. The entry will be judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value.
Contestants begin by competing at the VFW Auxiliary level. The first place winner from each Auxiliary advances to the Department (state) competition, which consists of two grade divisions: K-8 and 9-12. The Department first-place winner in each grade division will be forwarded to Auxiliary National Headquarters. There are National winners in each grade division, with awards for first, second and third place. Winners will be notified via the email address provided on the winners’ entry form in July.
Entries must be submitted to Post 12058 by March 31. Interested youth, parents/guardians and teachers should contact Alicia Taylor at ataylorlmsw@gmail.com for more information. Visit www.vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/youth-activities for eligibility requirements, contest rules and an entry form.
Another VFW Auxiliary contest, the Annual Young American Creative Patriotic Art Scholarship Contest, is inviting local students in grades 9-12 to compete for $34,000 in national scholarships.
The VFW Auxiliary started the contest in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth. Approximately 4,000 students participate each year, and in addition to $34,000 in national scholarships, local and state VFW Auxiliaries throughout the nation award more than $150,000 in Patriotic Art scholarships every year.
To compete, students must submit an original two-dimensional piece of artwork to Post 12058. Digital art, photography and jewelry are not accepted. The entry must have been completed during the current school year and the entry form must include a parent or guardian’s signature.
Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. The first place winner from each Auxiliary advances to the Department (state) competition. Department first place winners compete for their share of $34,000 in national awards, and the national first place winner is awarded a $15,000 scholarship.
National first through 13th place winners are featured in VFW Auxiliary Magazine and on the VFW Auxiliary website. All Department winning entries are judged at National Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri in July and will be displayed at the VFW Auxiliary National Convention.
Student entries must be submitted to Post 12058 Kyle by March 31. Interested students, parents and teachers should contact Alicia Taylor at ataylorlmsw@gmail.com for more information. To download an entry form and see the last year’s winners, visit www.vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.
