Every fall, VFW Posts invite students to share what America means to them and honor the teachers who bring citizenship to life. Post 8555 has sent Floresville, Poth, and Stockdale ISDs the Scholar’s App entry links for this year’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests. Both contests share the 2026–2027 theme, “What a Veteran Taught Me About America,” and all entries must be submitted to Post 8555 by October 31, 2026.
Post 8555 members at a 2022 student recognition in the hall. (Post archive, 2022 Scholarship/VOD folder)
Voice of Democracy: grades 9–12
High school students create a three- to five-minute audio essay on the theme. Each entry includes the recorded audio essay, a typed copy of the essay, and the entry form. Scholarships and incentives are awarded at the local, district, state, and national levels. More than $2 million is awarded every year, and the national first-place winner receives a $35,000 college scholarship. Enter at https://bit.ly/3YuHILL.
Patriot’s Pen: grades 6–8
Middle school students write a 300- to 400-word essay in English on the same theme, with no color, graphics, or personal identifiers in the essay. The entry form is the cover sheet. Awards are given at the Post, District, state, and national levels. State winners share in more than $55,000 of national awards, national winners receive at least $500, and the national first-place winner receives $5,000. Enter at https://bit.ly/3Yz5Qgs. Patriot's Pen questions:
How students enter
Students in public, private, or parochial schools or home-study programs enter online through Post 8555 using Scholar’s App, with the links above or the QR codes below. If a school network blocks Scholar’s App, ask the school’s IT department to whitelist *.scholarsapp.com/*, or complete the entry at home on a personal device. Questions: Commander Johnathon Farrell,
Scan to enter online through Post 8555 on Scholar’s App
Voice of Democracy
Grades 9–12
bit.ly/3YuHILL
Patriot’s Pen
Grades 6–8
bit.ly/3Yz5Qgs
Entries due by October 31, 2026.
Blocked at school? Ask IT to whitelist *.scholarsapp.com/* or enter from home.
Questions:
Teacher of the Year: nominations due October 31
The VFW’s Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Award honors classroom teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette, and patriotism. The VFW honors one teacher at each of three levels: elementary (K–5), middle school (6–8), and high school (9–12). All current certified or licensed K–12 teachers are eligible, except previous national winners. Anyone can nominate, including the teacher, a fellow teacher, a supervisor, or a family member. Each nomination needs the entry form, a résumé of at least one page, and no more than five pages of documentation in all. Nominations are due at Post 8555 by Saturday, October 31, and the Post’s candidates go to the District 20 turn-in on November 14. Each national winner receives $1,000 for professional development and $1,000 for their school. Rules and the form are at vfw.org/TeacheroftheYear. Questions: Commander Johnathon Farrell,
Veterans, you are the theme
This year’s theme asks students what a veteran taught them. If a grandchild or neighbor asks to interview you, say yes.
Sources: Post 8555 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen flyers, Scholar’s App access sheet, and the Commander’s September 2026 letter to area ISDs; vfw.org Teacher of the Year page and Teacher Award rules; Post calendar.