Middle school and high school students will have the chance to express their patriotism and compete for scholarship awards in this year's Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen competition by the Conyers Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5290 VFW and Ladies Auxiliary.

High school Voice of Democracy competitors must write and record a three to five minute essay on the theme, "Why I'm Optimistic About Our Country's Future" on an audio cassette tape or audio CD.

Middle school students in the Patriot's Pen competition must write a 300-400 word essay on this year's theme which is, "What Patriotism Means to Me."

All entries are to be submitted to the local VFW Post by the November 1 deadline.

Students begin by competing at the local VFW Post level, with an entry deadline of November 1, 2013 for each category. Prizes are awarded to winners at each Post, District, and State levels before moving on to the National finals. Both Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy State winners will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington D.C., where a total of $152,000 will be awarded to national finalists. The first place VOD prize is a $30,000 college scholarship, and $5000 is awarded to the PP winner.

For entry forms and more information, students, including home-schooled students and/or their teachers, should contact the Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen VFW chairman Peter Wolfe at 770-278-8040 or peter.wolfe@rockdalecounty.org. Wolfe will also be visiting the local schools to encourage students and their teachers to take part in these competitions. You may also Email the Conyers VFW Post Commander Dean Smith at dsmithvfw5290@comcast.net or by phone 770-469-1714.