Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veterans Youth Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hendersonville VFW outlines youth contests and teacher awards for Sumner County students
Summary
Representatives from the Hendersonville VFW described six youth and education programs — including Patriot's Pen, Voice of Democracy and teacher-of-the-year awards — and urged Sumner County schools to promote entries before an Oct. 31 deadline.
Dave Bohmien, a senior vice commander at the Hendersonville Veterans of Foreign Wars post, told the Sumner County School Board on Aug. 19 that the VFW runs six youth and education programs open to students across the county.
Bohmien, speaking during the board’s recognition and delegations segment, said the programs include the Patriot’s Pen essay contest for middle school students and the Voice of Democracy competition for high school students, both tied to an annual patriotic theme set by the VFW national commander. "This year's theme is, 'How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?'" Bohmien said.
The VFW awards scholarships and prizes as entries advance from local posts to district, state and national levels. Bohmien said the national winner of the Voice of Democracy competition receives a $35,000 scholarship; the national Patriot’s Pen prize is $5,000. He also described teacher recognition awards at elementary, middle and high school levels that include a $1,000 national prize and a $1,000 award for the teacher’s school.
Why it matters: the VFW programs provide scholarship and recognition opportunities and encourage civic engagement, and local posts are seeking school cooperation to increase student participation.
Board members asked for wider distribution across Sumner County. Bohmien said the contests are available at multiple local posts and encouraged board members to share entry forms with principals, guidance counselors and teachers. He told the board that post deadlines for entries are Oct. 31 and offered to email digital copies of entry forms to the board office.
Amanda Bridal, identified in the presentation as president of the VFW auxiliary at the post, described the art contests for elementary and middle-school students, noting two- and three-dimensional divisions and that winners progress to district and state judging.
The VFW representative said the contests accept entries from public, private and homeschooled students and that local posts award first-, second- and third-place prizes before forwarding winners to higher levels. Bohmien cited past winners from Station Camp and Hendersonville-area schools who advanced in state and national judging.
Ending: Board members thanked the delegation and asked staff to ensure digital copies of entry forms are available to county schools. Bohmien said he would provide email copies and help direct schools outside Hendersonville to their local VFW contacts.
