VFW Post 3378 is proud to announce the local winners of the Annual Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest at Yuma Middle School and Voice of Democracy Patriotic Audio Essay Contest at Yuma High School. The theme for this year is “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country”.
Each year almost 73,000 students nationwide in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. The essay contest encourages youngsters to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300-400 word essay.
Winners of the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest are; first place Deziah Pacheco, second place Gabe Leonhardt and third place Harper Barry. They each read their essay publicly during the Veteran’s Day program at Yuma Middle School, November 11, 2025. Their essays have been forwarded on to District 4 of the Colorado Department of VFW.
Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 27,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. Brody Sheffield won locally and his audio essay has been forwarded on to District 4 of the Colorado Department of VFW.
